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Spacemaster 80

Cucumis sativus 'Spacemaster 80'

The ultimate cucumber for small spaces and container gardens, with compact bush-type vines that don't sprawl but still produce full-sized, delicious fruits. Winner of the All-America Selections award for its innovation in space-efficient gardening. Perfect for patios, balconies, and urban gardeners who want fresh cucumbers without the space requirements.

Harvest

55-65d

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 Spacemaster 80 in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Spacemaster 80 · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained potting mix or garden soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture important for containers

SeasonWarm season

FlavorTraditional cucumber taste, crisp and refreshing

ColorMedium green

Size7-8 inches long

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

Store freshly harvested Spacemaster 80 cucumbers in the refrigerator crisper drawer for 7-10 days maximum. Wrap individual cucumbers loosely in paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then place in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while preventing condensation buildup that leads to decay.

For longer preservation, slice cucumbers and quick-pickle in a simple brine of equal parts water and vinegar with salt and sugar. This method preserves their crisp texture for 2-3 months refrigerated. Spacemaster 80's firm flesh also works well for traditional canning pickles using tested recipes and proper canning procedures.

While freezing isn't recommended for fresh eating due to texture changes, you can freeze diced cucumbers for later use in smoothies, gazpacho, or cooked dishes. Dehydrating thin slices creates shelf-stable chips, though the variety's high water content requires longer drying times. Fermented pickles showcase the variety's traditional cucumber flavor while providing probiotics and extended storage life.

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 with their taproot

Marigolds

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

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for cucumber beetles and aphids

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and provide natural trellising support

Corn

Provides natural support structure and shade for cucumber vines

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide vertical growing support

Dill

Attracts beneficial predatory insects that control cucumber pests

Lettuce

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

Keep Apart

Aromatic herbs

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

Potatoes

Compete for nutrients and may increase disease susceptibility

Melons

Cross-pollination concerns and 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 cucumber mosaic virus and downy mildew

Common Pests

Cucumber beetle, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do Spacemaster 80 cucumber plants get?▼

Spacemaster 80 plants grow as compact bushes reaching only 18-24 inches tall and wide, making them perfect for containers and small gardens. Unlike traditional cucumbers that can spread 6 feet or more, these stay contained while still producing full-sized 6-8 inch fruits.

Can you grow Spacemaster 80 cucumbers in pots?▼

Yes, Spacemaster 80 was specifically bred for container growing. Use pots at least 12-15 inches deep and 18 inches wide to accommodate the root system. Provide consistent watering and weekly fertilizing, as container plants dry out faster and need more frequent feeding than garden-grown plants.

How long does Spacemaster 80 take to produce cucumbers?▼

Spacemaster 80 cucumbers are ready to harvest 55-65 days from seed, depending on growing conditions. You'll see flowers within 4-5 weeks, followed by rapid fruit development. In optimal conditions with warm weather and consistent moisture, expect your first harvest around 8 weeks from planting.

Is Spacemaster 80 good for beginners?▼

Absolutely - Spacemaster 80 is excellent for beginning gardeners. Its compact size makes it manageable, it has good disease resistance, and the bush habit eliminates complicated trellising. The variety is forgiving of minor care mistakes and produces reliable harvests with basic watering and feeding.

What does Spacemaster 80 cucumber taste like?▼

Spacemaster 80 has the classic crisp, refreshing cucumber flavor with no bitterness when harvested at proper size. The flesh is firm and juicy with small seed cavities, making it excellent for fresh slicing, salads, and light pickling. The taste is indistinguishable from full-sized garden cucumber varieties.

Do Spacemaster 80 cucumbers need a trellis?▼

While not absolutely necessary due to their bush habit, Spacemaster 80 plants benefit from small supports like tomato cages or short stakes. This improves air circulation, keeps fruits off the ground, and makes harvesting easier. A 2-3 foot support is sufficient, much shorter than traditional cucumber trellises.