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Tasty Jade

Cucumis sativus

Vigorous, high-yielding plants produce glossy, 11-12" long, bitter-free fruit with small seed cavities. Cukes are sweet, crisp, and thin-skinned; no peeling required. Suitable for outdoor or greenhouse culture. Trellis for straight fruit. Parthenocarpic.

Harvest

54d

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 Tasty Jade in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber →

Zone Map

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Tasty Jade · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with high organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture preferred

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorExceptionally sweet, crisp, refreshing with no bitterness

ColorDeep jade green

Size11-12"

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

Store freshly harvested Tasty Jade cucumbers in the refrigerator's crisper drawer at 40-45°F with high humidity for optimal quality. Wrap individual cucumbers in paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then place in perforated plastic bags. Properly stored cucumbers maintain peak crispness for 7-10 days.

Avoid storing at room temperature for extended periods, as Tasty Jade's thin skin makes it more susceptible to moisture loss and quality degradation than thick-skinned varieties.

For preservation, these cucumbers excel in quick pickling—their sweet flavor and crisp texture shine in refrigerator pickles with rice vinegar and Asian seasonings. Slice and freeze in single layers for smoothies and cold soups, though texture becomes soft after thawing. Their exceptional flavor makes them ideal for lacto-fermentation, creating probiotic pickles that maintain more crunch than traditional canning methods.

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, quick harvest makes space for cucumber spread

Marigolds

Deter cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds

Nasturtiums

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

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding cucumbers, different root depths

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shade, compatible root systems

Lettuce

Grows in cucumber shade, shallow roots don't compete, efficient space use

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cucumber pests

Sunflowers

Provide natural trellis support and attract pollinators essential for fruit set

Keep Apart

Aromatic Herbs

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

Melons

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

Potatoes

Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases, potatoes may stunt cucumber growth

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

Powdery Mildew (Intermediate)

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, cucumber beetles

Diseases

Bacterial wilt, angular leaf spot, anthracnose

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Tasty Jade cucumber take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Tasty Jade cucumbers mature in 60-65 days from seed to first harvest. When started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, you'll see first fruits about 5-6 weeks after transplanting outdoors. The plants continue producing for 8-10 weeks with regular harvesting, providing continuous yields throughout the growing season.

Can you grow Tasty Jade cucumbers in containers?▼

Yes, Tasty Jade grows excellently in containers with at least 20-gallon capacity and good drainage. Use a sturdy trellis system as vines reach 6-8 feet. Container growing actually provides better control over soil conditions and watering, which this variety appreciates. Ensure containers receive full morning sun with some afternoon protection in hot climates.

Is Tasty Jade cucumber good for beginners?▼

Tasty Jade is moderately challenging for beginners due to its need for consistent watering and proper trellising. However, its excellent disease resistance and parthenocarpic fruiting make it more forgiving than many cucumber varieties. New gardeners succeed with this variety when they maintain steady soil moisture and provide adequate support structures.

What does Tasty Jade cucumber taste like compared to regular cucumbers?▼

Tasty Jade offers exceptional sweetness with a crisp, refreshing crunch that's notably superior to standard slicing cucumbers. The flavor is completely free of bitterness with a clean, mild taste that's perfect for fresh eating. The thin, tender skin adds no harsh notes, making the entire cucumber more palatable than thick-skinned varieties.

When should I plant Tasty Jade cucumber seeds?▼

Start Tasty Jade seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow outdoors when soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F. In most regions, this means indoor starting in March-April for May transplanting, or direct sowing in May-June. Warm-season gardeners can succession plant every 2-3 weeks through mid-summer.

Do Tasty Jade cucumbers need pollination to produce fruit?▼

No, Tasty Jade is parthenocarpic, meaning it sets fruit without pollination. This makes it excellent for greenhouse growing or areas with limited bee activity. The fruits develop seedless or with minimal seeds, contributing to their superior eating quality and consistent production regardless of pollinator availability.