Cucumber, Chicago Pickling

Even though it is a “pickling” type cucumber it is crisp, light and refreshing as a slicing cucumber with a sublime sweetness not found in other cucumbers. Pickling types are shorter, wider, bumpier, and have yellow streaks on the skin, but can be used fresh or for pickles, so they are more versatile than the “standard” type. Chicago Pickling was a popular Midwest heirloom since its release in 1888 by D.M. Ferry of Detroit.

• Start seeds indoors 5/1 into a good starting mix.
  • Ideal temperature for germination: 85-95F (use heating mat).
  • Cucumber seedlings are sensitive to damping off fungus so keep soil lightly moist but not too wet and use a fan (set to low) to provide air circulation.
  • Days to germination: 4-10. Once 2 leaves appear, grow plants at 72F.
• Transplant outdoors (plant entire biodegradable pot into soil) around 6/1 into fertile soil with lots of compost or decomposed manure.
• Or direct sow seeds outdoors 6/1 (1/2” deep).
• Space plants 1 foot apart. Protect seedlings from cucumber beetles by covering seeds/seedlings with row cover fabric at planting and leave it on until plants are flowering.
• Protect plants from deer and groundhogs.

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