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Boston Pickling

Cucumis sativus 'Boston Pickling'

A treasured heirloom from the 1880s that's become the go-to choice for homemade pickles and relishes. These compact, warted fruits have the perfect size and firm texture that pickle enthusiasts demand. Incredibly productive plants will keep you supplied with pickles all season long.

Harvest

50-55d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

8-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Boston Pickling in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Boston Pickling · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile loam with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorCrisp texture with mild, classic cucumber flavor ideal for pickling

ColorLight to medium green

Size3-4 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	May – May	June – July	June – August	August – October
Zone 4	April – May	June – June	June – July	August – October
Zone 5	April – April	May – June	May – July	August – September
Zone 6	April – April	May – June	May – July	July – September
Zone 7	March – April	May – May	May – June	July – August
Zone 8	March – March	April – May	April – June	June – August
Zone 9	February – February	March – April	March – May	May – July
Zone 10	January – February	March – March	March – April	May – June

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spread: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The "vegetable" is botanically a fruit– it is a pepo, a berry with a hard rind. Long and cylindrical, starting out prickly when young and smoothing out to a bumpy surface as it matures. Length and girth can vary based on cultivar and culinary purpose but grow at least 3 in long. Some varieties are bred to be seedless.

Color: Green. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Fruits are commonly eaten raw or pickled. Fresh cucumbers last in the fridge for about a week.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Boston Pickling cucumbers store best at 50-55°F with high humidity, making them ideal for refrigerator crisper drawer storage. They'll maintain quality for 7-10 days when stored unwashed in perforated plastic bags. For optimal pickling quality, process within 24 hours of harvest.

These cucumbers excel at traditional pickling methods. Their firm texture and small seed cavity make them perfect for dill pickles, bread-and-butter pickles, and relishes. The warted skin holds brine exceptionally well. For quick refrigerator pickles, slice and submerge in vinegar brine — they'll be ready in 24 hours. They also ferment beautifully for traditional sour pickles using the salt-brine lacto-fermentation method. Fresh cucumbers can be frozen for later use in cooked relishes, though they'll lose their crisp texture.

History & Origin

Origin: Himalaya to Northern Thailand

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Heat
+Attracts: Bees
+Edible: Fruits are commonly eaten raw or pickled. Fresh cucumbers last in the fridge for about a week.
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Radishes

Repel cucumber beetles and squash bugs while improving soil structure

Marigolds

Deter aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles with their strong scent

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for cucumber beetles and squash bugs

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide beneficial ground cover

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and partial shade

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like predatory wasps that control cucumber pests

Lettuce

Benefits from cucumber's shade and efficient use of garden space

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

Strong herbs like sage can inhibit cucumber growth and development

Potatoes

Compete for nutrients and may increase disease susceptibility

Melons

Cross-pollination concerns and increased competition for space and nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

10kcal(1%)

Protein

0.59g(1%)

Fiber

0.7g(3%)

Carbs

2.16g(1%)

Fat

0.16g(0%)

Vitamin C

3.2mg(4%)

Vitamin A

4mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

7.2mcg(6%)

Iron

0.22mg(1%)

Calcium

14mg(1%)

Potassium

136mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169225)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good general disease tolerance but limited specific resistance

Common Pests

Cucumber beetle, squash bug, aphids, pickle worms

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, cucumber mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Boston Pickling cucumber take to grow?▼

Boston Pickling cucumbers are ready to harvest in 50-55 days from direct sowing. You'll see first flowers around 35-40 days, with harvestable cucumbers following 2 weeks later. Plants continue producing for 60-90 days until frost if you harvest regularly and maintain consistent watering.

Can you grow Boston Pickling cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, but use large containers — at least 20 gallons for proper root development. These vigorous vines need sturdy vertical support like a trellis or cage. Container growing requires more frequent watering and feeding since the extensive root system can quickly deplete soil nutrients and moisture.

Is Boston Pickling cucumber good for beginners?▼

Boston Pickling is excellent for beginner gardeners due to its reliable germination, vigorous growth, and forgiving nature. The main requirement is consistent watering — irregular moisture causes bitter fruit. Start with just 2-3 plants as they're incredibly productive and can easily overwhelm new gardeners with their harvest volume.

When should I plant Boston Pickling cucumber seeds?▼

Plant Boston Pickling seeds directly in the garden when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently — typically late May in zones 5-6, mid-April in zones 7-9. For continuous harvest, make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks until 70 days before your first expected fall frost date.

What makes Boston Pickling different from regular cucumbers?▼

Boston Pickling cucumbers have thicker, warted skin that holds brine better, smaller seed cavities for firmer texture, and are harvested at 3-4 inches long. They maintain crispness in brine far better than slicing varieties. The compact size fits perfectly in standard canning jars, and they never develop the bitter compounds common in oversized regular cucumbers.