When can I plant pickling cucumber outside?

Direct sow or transplant 2 weeks after your last spring frost.

How long until pickling cucumber is ready to harvest?

48-55 days. Harvest at 2-4 inches for gherkins, up to 6 inches for dills; pick frequently to encourage production

When to Plant Pickling Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

vegetableZones 3–11beginner

Compact cucumber variety bred specifically for making pickles. Produces smaller, bumpy-skinned fruit with crisp texture that holds up well in brine.

Planting calendar

Direct sow / transplant

2 weeks after your last spring frost.

Succession plant every 2 weeks; harvest daily at peak production

Spacing & harvest

Plant spacing: 12-18 inches
Row spacing: 36-48 inches
Days to harvest: 48-55 days
Ready when: Harvest at 2-4 inches for gherkins, up to 6 inches for dills; pick frequently to encourage production

Companion planting

Plant near

Dill — Attracts beneficial insects and convenient for pickling
Lettuce — Low-growing living mulch
Radish — Repels cucumber beetles

Keep away from

Sage — Aromatic oils inhibit cucumber growth
Potato — Increases disease pressure

Get pickling cucumber planting dates for your exact zone

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Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns