HeirloomContainer OK

Chicago Pickling

Cucumis sativus 'Chicago Pickling'

A time-tested heirloom variety that's been the backbone of American pickle production since the 1880s, originally developed for the commercial pickle industry in Chicago. These medium-sized cucumbers have the perfect balance of firm flesh and tender skin that makes exceptional pickles, whether harvested small for gherkins or larger for dill pickles. Their reliable production and disease tolerance have made them a favorite among home gardeners for over a century.

Harvest

58-65d

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 Chicago Pickling in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Chicago Pickling · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile loam with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorCrisp and mild with excellent texture for pickling

ColorMedium green with light striping and black spines

Size3-6 inches long depending on harvest time

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

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 Chicago Pickling cucumbers maintain peak crispness for 3-5 days when stored unwashed in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, wrapped in paper towels to absorb excess moisture. For optimal pickling quality, use within 24 hours of harvest as the natural pectin that creates firm pickles begins breaking down immediately after picking.

For preservation, these cucumbers excel in traditional brine pickles, refrigerator pickles, and fermented pickles. Their firm flesh holds up beautifully to hot water bath canning using tested pickling recipes. Small gherkin-sized fruits (2-3 inches) create perfect cornichons, while 4-6 inch cucumbers work ideally for dill pickles and bread-and-butter pickles. The variety's balanced moisture content and thick cell walls prevent the mushiness that plagues many modern cucumbers during processing.

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

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving cucumber flavor

Radishes

Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, acts as a trap crop

Marigolds

Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, repels squash bugs

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide beneficial ground cover without competing

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shade during hot afternoons

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide afternoon shade for cucumber vines

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects that prey on cucumber pests like aphids

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

Strong scents from sage, rosemary can inhibit cucumber growth and germination

Potatoes

Compete for similar nutrients and space, may harbor diseases harmful to cucumbers

Melons

Attract same pests like cucumber beetles and compete for water 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 tolerance to scab and moderate resistance to bacterial wilt

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash vine borers

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, cucumber mosaic virus, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Chicago Pickling cucumber take to grow?▼

Chicago Pickling cucumbers mature in 58-65 days from seed to first harvest. You can begin picking small gherkins at 55-58 days, while full-sized 4-6 inch pickling cucumbers are ready at 60-65 days. Once production begins, harvest every 1-2 days to maintain continuous fruiting throughout the growing season.

Can you grow Chicago Pickling cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, but use large containers (minimum 20 gallons) with strong vertical support. The vigorous vines need 6-foot trellises and consistent moisture. Container growing actually improves pest management and harvest convenience, but requires more frequent watering and feeding than garden planting.

Is Chicago Pickling cucumber good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. This variety is rated as 'easy' to grow with reliable germination, good disease tolerance, and forgiving harvest timing. The main requirement is providing adequate vertical support and consistent watering. Even novice gardeners typically achieve successful harvests with basic care.

What's the difference between Chicago Pickling and Boston Pickling cucumbers?▼

Chicago Pickling produces longer, more uniform fruits (4-6 inches) ideal for dill pickles, while Boston Pickling tends toward shorter, blockier shapes better for sweet pickles. Chicago Pickling has superior disease resistance and more vigorous vines, making it better suited for humid climates and intensive production.

When should I plant Chicago Pickling cucumber seeds?▼

Plant outdoors when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 6-8, this means mid to late May. For earlier harvests, start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before outdoor planting time, but transplant carefully as cucumbers dislike root disturbance.

Do Chicago Pickling cucumbers taste good fresh?▼

While edible fresh, Chicago Pickling cucumbers have thicker skin and denser flesh than modern slicing varieties, giving them a more substantial bite but less delicate flavor. They're best when harvested young (3-4 inches) for fresh eating, but truly shine when pickled where their firm texture is an advantage.