Heirloom

National Pickling

Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling'

The gold standard for homemade pickles, this prolific heirloom has been the choice of serious picklers since 1924. It produces an enormous harvest of blocky, thick-walled cucumbers that maintain perfect crispness when pickled and have the ideal flesh-to-seed ratio for processing. The vigorous vines continue producing all season long, giving you plenty of cucumbers for fresh eating and preserving.

Harvest

52-58d

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 National Pickling in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

National Pickling · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile loamy soil rich in compost

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent watering crucial

SeasonWarm season

FlavorFirm, crisp texture with mild flavor, excellent for pickling

ColorMedium green with lighter stripes

Size4-6 inches long, 2.5 inches diameter

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 National Pickling cucumbers keep best unwashed in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer, maintaining quality for 5-7 days. Store at 50-55°F if possible – standard refrigerator temperatures can cause chilling injury in some cucumbers, leading to pitting and decay.

For preservation, process cucumbers within 24 hours of harvest for maximum crispness. This variety excels in traditional brine pickles, bread and butter pickles, and fermented pickles due to its thick walls and low seed cavity. Quick refrigerator pickles stay crisp for 2-3 months. Water bath canning produces shelf-stable pickles lasting 1-2 years when properly sealed and stored.

Freezing isn't recommended for whole cucumbers as they become mushy, but you can freeze them chopped for later use in cold soups, smoothies, or cooked relishes. Dehydrating creates cucumber chips, though this variety's high moisture content requires longer drying times than slicing varieties.

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

Help deter cucumber beetles and break up soil for better root development

Marigolds

Repel cucumber beetles, aphids, and other harmful insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for cucumber beetles and aphids while deterring squash bugs

Beans

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

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shade while cucumbers suppress weeds below

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cucumber pests

Lettuce

Makes efficient use of space as ground cover and doesn't compete for nutrients

Sunflowers

Provide natural trellis support and attract pollinators essential for fruit development

Aromatic Herbs

Oregano, thyme, and chives help repel cucumber beetles and other pests

Keep Apart

Sage

Can inhibit cucumber growth through allelopathic compounds

Melons

Compete for similar nutrients and space, and share common diseases like bacterial wilt

Potatoes

May stunt cucumber growth and both plants compete heavily 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

Moderate resistance to cucumber mosaic virus and bacterial wilt

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, angular leaf spot, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does National Pickling cucumber take to grow from seed?▼

National Pickling cucumbers typically mature in 52-58 days from seed to first harvest. You'll see the first small pickling cucumbers ready at about 7-8 weeks after planting. For continuous harvests, the plants will keep producing for 8-10 weeks until frost, giving you plenty of cucumbers for multiple batches of pickles throughout the growing season.

Can you grow National Pickling cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, National Pickling grows well in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) with sturdy trellises. Use a well-draining potting mix and ensure containers have adequate drainage holes. Container plants need more frequent watering and feeding than ground-planted cucumbers. Choose compact trellising since container plants won't spread as widely but will still produce substantial harvests.

Is National Pickling cucumber good for beginners?▼

National Pickling is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its forgiving nature and reliable production. It's more tolerant of growing mistakes than many cucumber varieties and provides clear visual cues for harvest timing. The main requirement is consistent watering – beginners who master this basic need will see excellent results with this proven heirloom variety.

What size should I harvest National Pickling cucumbers?▼

Harvest National Pickling cucumbers at 2-3 inches for gherkin pickles, 4-6 inches for standard pickles, or up to 7 inches maximum before seeds become tough. The ideal size depends on your pickle preference – smaller fruits stay crispier and have more concentrated flavor, while larger ones offer more pickle per fruit but may be slightly less crisp.

National Pickling vs Boston Pickling cucumber – what's the difference?▼

National Pickling produces more uniform, blocky fruits with thicker walls, while Boston Pickling tends to be more tapered and variable in size. National Pickling has better disease resistance and more consistent production throughout the season. Boston Pickling matures slightly earlier but doesn't maintain quality as long. For reliable, consistent pickling results, National Pickling is the better choice.

When should I plant National Pickling cucumber seeds?▼

Plant National Pickling cucumber seeds after soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently – typically 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. In most regions, this falls between mid-May to early June. For earlier harvests, start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before transplanting. Make successive plantings every 2-3 weeks through mid-July for continuous pickles until frost.