HybridContainer OK

Picklebush Cucumber

Cucumis sativus 'Picklebush'

A compact bush variety perfect for small gardens and containers, producing an abundance of 4-5 inch pickling cucumbers on space-saving plants. This determinate variety concentrates its harvest, making it ideal for batch pickling projects. Despite its small stature, Picklebush delivers full-sized flavor and the crisp texture that makes perfect pickles.

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 Picklebush Cucumber in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Picklebush Cucumber · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, moderately fertile soil

pH6.0-7.0

Water1 inch per week, even moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorCrisp, firm texture ideal for pickling, mildly sweet

ColorMedium green with lighter stripes

Size4-5 inches long, 1.5 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 Picklebush cucumbers maintain peak quality for 3-5 days at room temperature or up to one week refrigerated in a perforated plastic bag. Store at 45-50°F if possible—standard refrigerator temperatures can cause chilling injury, leading to pitting and decay.

For preservation, Picklebush excels at traditional pickling methods. Their firm flesh holds up beautifully in brine, making them perfect for dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, and relishes. Process within 24 hours of harvest for maximum crispness. The concentrated harvest makes batch canning efficient—you'll have enough cucumbers at once for multiple canning sessions.

Freezing isn't recommended for whole cucumbers due to their high water content, but you can freeze them in prepared relishes or gazpacho. Dehydrating cucumber chips works well for healthy snacks, though they lose their characteristic crunch. Fermented pickles showcase Picklebush's natural flavor while extending storage to several months when properly prepared.

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 improve soil structure while maturing quickly

Marigolds

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

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, drawing pests away

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil to benefit cucumber growth and provide natural mulch

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and creates beneficial shade

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection

Dill

Attracts beneficial predatory insects that control cucumber pests

Lettuce

Acts as living mulch, conserving soil moisture cucumbers need

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

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

Potatoes

Compete for nutrients and may harbor diseases harmful to cucumbers

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 resistance to scab and cucumber mosaic virus

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids

Diseases

Bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Picklebush cucumber plants do I need for canning?▼

Plan on 4-6 Picklebush plants per person for a season's worth of pickles. Each plant typically produces 15-20 cucumbers over its concentrated harvest period. This equals roughly 5-6 pounds of cucumbers per plant, enough for 8-10 pint jars of pickles. Plant in succession every 3 weeks if you prefer multiple smaller batches rather than one large canning session.

Can Picklebush cucumbers grow in containers?▼

Yes, Picklebush excels in containers and was specifically bred for this purpose. Use containers at least 5 gallons in size with drainage holes. Choose wider containers (18+ inches) rather than deep narrow ones. Container plants need daily watering during hot weather and benefit from morning sun with afternoon shade protection. Expect slightly lower yields than ground-planted cucumbers.

When should I plant Picklebush cucumber seeds?▼

Plant Picklebush seeds after soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently—typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 5-6, this means late May to early June. Zones 7-8 can plant in early to mid-May. For succession crops, plant every 2-3 weeks through mid-July. Starting indoors 2-3 weeks before transplanting extends the season in shorter growing areas.

What's the difference between Picklebush and regular pickling cucumbers?▼

Picklebush is a compact bush variety that grows 18-24 inches tall, while traditional pickling cucumbers are vining plants that need trellising and reach 6+ feet. Picklebush concentrates its harvest over 2-3 weeks, perfect for batch canning, whereas vining types produce continuously over 6-8 weeks. Both produce similar-sized fruits, but Picklebush requires less space and maintenance.

Are Picklebush cucumbers good for fresh eating?▼

While Picklebush cucumbers are edible fresh, they're bred specifically for pickling and lack the mild, sweet flavor of dedicated slicing varieties. They have a slightly more intense, tangy taste and firmer texture that shines when pickled but may seem harsh when eaten fresh. For fresh eating, consider growing a separate slicing variety alongside your Picklebush plants.

How long do Picklebush cucumbers take to grow?▼

Picklebush cucumbers mature in 50-55 days from seed to first harvest. The concentrated harvest period lasts 2-3 weeks once production begins. Individual fruits develop rapidly once pollination occurs—you'll see small cucumbers reach harvest size within 7-10 days during peak season. This relatively quick maturity makes Picklebush suitable for shorter growing seasons and succession planting.