Was your main motive for planting cucumbers for pickling? Mine too, and I savor those spicy but sweet, perfect pickles every day. You can also have them easily by knowing when to pick cucumbers for pickling and what varieties suit your taste.
From my experience, keep those homemade pickles at the back of your fridge to use them for a long time with a perfect crunchy and fresh taste.
This article will clear all your doubts regarding When to Pick Cucumbers for Pickling-
How do you know Cucumbers is ready to harvest?
Look for these signs-
- The cucumber is almost 50-55 days old
- Its grown 3-6 inches in size
- It can be easily detached from the vine with less resistance
Some popular varieties are Boston pickling cucumbers
When to plant pickling cucumbers
Planting Boston pickling cucumber seeds
GROW THEM ON FENCE OR TRELLIS to save space
Boston pickling cucumber growing is the same as any cucumber but provides the perfect crunchy taste when pickled, You can plant the seeds in rows or hills
- If in rows – sow one – 11/2 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart
- In hills- plant 4-5 seeds per hill and cut to strongest 2-3 when it germinates.
- start sowing inside 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, sow 2-3 seeds per hole, and transfer the strongest for working outside
- seedlings usually come in 3-10 days
- water on plating day and after 2 to 3 days if there is no rain, the only requirement is moist soil
- The soil must be well-drained, with a pH of 6.0 to 6.0.
- They are a heavy feeder, providing them with a nitrogen-based fertilizer at the start and a balanced fertilizer for optimal growth.
How to grow pickling cucumbers in a container
Follow these basic steps-
- Lemon cucumbers being large require a large container of around 5 gallons or above for better results which must be 12- 18 inches deep
- Go for plastic, ceramic, or wooden containers, each will complement the growth
- Ensure drainage hole in your container to prevent waterlogging
- Find a location with 6-8 hours of sunlight per day
- Provide sufficient watering but prevent overwatering
- Soil must be well-drained, and treated with composts with a little bit of sandy texture with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8, as liked by lemon cucumber plants
- When to Pick Cucumbers for Pickling in containers, it is just like the ones outside, bright green colored.
When to pick cucumbers for pickling
When harvesting mini cucumbers can be a dilemma, it is usually after 50 to 65 days ,ensure these signs are visible before doing so
- The cucumbers become bright yellow coloured, don’t wait until they become orange as that would mean they have over ripped
- The perfect and mature cucumber will be 2 to 3 inches in diameter
- Check for maturation by squeezing the cucumber, it should be firm but not too hard or too soft for that matter
- When you are tugging the cucumber from the stem, it should be easy, if you find it resistant then it might not be the time.
Cucumber ripeness chart
| Color | Ripeness |
| Bright, dark green, frim | Ripened for pickling |
| Dark green, firm | Riped for salads |
| Dull yellow, soft | overripe |
All the best in making the perfect homemade cucumbers for pickling, enjoy it to enhance the taste of any meal.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs):-
Q1. Can you When to Pick Cucumbers for Pickling too early?
Ans. When to Pick Cucumbers for Pickling is very crucial, It would be disheartening to pick them early, your efforts will be in vain as this one will taste bitter and less juicy.
Q2. What should for When to Pick Cucumbers for Pickling look like?
Ans. They will look bright green, and smooth with a little bumpy texture.
Q3. What size do you pick pickling cucumbers?
Ans. Small sizes serve the needs, 2 to 4 inches are perfect to make crunchy pickles.
