Heirloom

Marketmore 76

Cucumis sativus

Long dark green cucumbers. The slender, refined "Marketmore look" has long been the standard for slicing cucumbers in the North. 8-9" fruits stay uniformly dark green even under weather stress. Begins bearing late, but picks for a relatively long time. USDA Certified Organic.

Harvest

58d

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 Marketmore 76 in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Marketmore 76 · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorClassic cucumber flavor, crisp and refreshing with mild sweetness

ColorDark green

Size8-9"

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 Marketmore 76 cucumbers store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 50-55°F with high humidity. Wrap individual cucumbers loosely in paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then place in perforated plastic bags. Properly stored cucumbers maintain quality for 7-10 days – avoid storing near ethylene-producing fruits like tomatoes which accelerate yellowing.

For preservation, Marketmore 76's crisp texture makes excellent refrigerator pickles using a simple vinegar brine. Slice and freeze cucumber rounds on parchment-lined trays, then transfer to freezer bags for smoothies and cold soups – frozen cucumbers lose crispness but retain flavor. Dehydrate thin slices at 125°F for 8-12 hours to create healthy chips, or ferment cucumber spears in 3% salt brine for probiotic-rich pickles that develop complex flavors over 3-4 weeks.

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 cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, also repel squash bugs

Bush Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide ground cover without competing for space

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control pests

Lettuce

Provides living mulch and cool soil while utilizing different root zones

Sunflowers

Provide natural trellising support and attract pollinators

Catnip

Repels cucumber beetles, ants, and aphids more effectively than DEET

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

Strong herbs like sage and rosemary can inhibit cucumber growth and germination

Melons

Compete for same nutrients and space, can cross-pollinate affecting fruit quality

Potatoes

Release compounds that can stunt cucumber growth and attract shared pests

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

Cucumber Mosaic Virus (Intermediate); Powdery Mildew (Intermediate); Scab (High)

Common Pests

Cucumber beetle, squash bug, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt (generally resistant to most common diseases)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Marketmore 76 take to grow from seed?▼

Marketmore 76 cucumbers mature in 58-68 days from direct seeding, depending on growing conditions. In cooler climates (zones 3-5), expect closer to 68 days, while warm regions (zones 8-10) often see harvest in 58-60 days. Starting seeds indoors can reduce time to harvest by 2-3 weeks since transplants have a head start.

Is Marketmore 76 good for beginners?▼

Yes, Marketmore 76 is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its exceptional disease resistance and forgiving nature. The variety tolerates minor watering inconsistencies better than most cucumbers and produces reliably even with basic care. Its strong disease resistance means success without complex spray schedules that intimidate new gardeners.

Can you grow Marketmore 76 in containers?▼

Marketmore 76 grows well in large containers (minimum 20 gallons) with proper support. Use a trellis or cage system since vines reach 6-8 feet. Container growing requires more frequent watering – check soil daily and maintain consistent moisture. Choose containers with drainage holes and use high-quality potting mix enriched with compost.

What does Marketmore 76 taste like?▼

Marketmore 76 offers classic cucumber flavor – crisp, refreshing, and mildly sweet without any bitter aftertaste. The flesh is firm and juicy with small seed cavities. The skin is tender enough to eat but can be peeled if desired. This variety maintains its pleasant flavor even when fruits grow slightly larger than optimal harvest size.

When should I plant Marketmore 76 seeds?▼

Plant Marketmore 76 seeds outdoors when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. For earlier harvest, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost. In zones 9-10, plant in early spring or fall for best results. Avoid planting when soil is below 60°F as germination becomes unreliable.

Marketmore 76 vs Straight Eight cucumbers – what's the difference?▼

Marketmore 76 offers superior disease resistance compared to Straight Eight, particularly against downy mildew and cucumber mosaic virus. While both produce similar-sized dark green cucumbers, Marketmore 76 maintains production longer and handles stress better. Straight Eight is an older variety with slightly different flavor but lacks the modern disease resistance that makes Marketmore 76 more reliable.