Hybrid

Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber

Cucumis sativus 'Tendergreen Burpless'

green cucumber on white surface

A gardener favorite known for its exceptionally mild, easy-to-digest fruits that won't cause the bitterness or digestive issues of traditional cucumbers. This vigorous variety produces smooth, 8-10 inch dark green fruits with tender, never-bitter skin. Tendergreen's reliable production and superior eating quality make it perfect for families who want fresh cucumbers all season long.

Harvest

62-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

8-18 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

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 Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 cucumber

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

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Tendergreen Burpless Cucumber · Zones 211

What grows well in Zone 7?

Growing Details

Difficulty
Easy
Spacing12-18 inches
SoilRich, well-drained soil with good organic matter
pH6.0-7.0
Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture
SeasonWarm season
FlavorExceptionally mild, sweet, never bitter, easy to digest
ColorDark green with smooth skin
Size8-10 inches long, 2.5 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

ZoneIndoor StartTransplantDirect SowHarvest
Zone 3May – MayJune – JulyJune – AugustSeptember – October
Zone 4April – MayJune – JuneJune – JulySeptember – October
Zone 5April – AprilMay – JuneMay – JulyAugust – October
Zone 6April – AprilMay – JuneMay – JulyAugust – September
Zone 7March – AprilMay – MayMay – JuneJuly – September
Zone 8March – MarchApril – MayApril – JuneJuly – August
Zone 9February – FebruaryMarch – AprilMarch – MayJune – July
Zone 10January – FebruaryMarch – MarchMarch – AprilMay – 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

Fresh Tendergreen Burpless cucumbers store best in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 50-55°F with high humidity. Wrap individual cucumbers in paper towels and place in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while preventing condensation buildup. Under optimal conditions, they'll stay crisp for 7-10 days—longer than many cucumber varieties due to their thick, sturdy skin.

Avoid storing at temperatures below 45°F, which causes chilling injury and accelerated decay. Never store with ethylene-producing fruits like tomatoes or melons, which cause rapid yellowing and deterioration.

For preservation, their mild flavor and tender skin make Tendergreen excellent for refrigerator pickles—no peeling required. Quick-pickle sliced rounds in seasoned vinegar for a ready snack that lasts 2-3 weeks refrigerated. They also freeze well when diced and blanched for 2 minutes, though texture becomes softer and they're best used in cooked dishes or smoothies. The variety's low bitterness makes it ideal for fermenting into traditional dill pickles.

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

+

Radish

Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs while improving soil structure

+

Marigold

Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes with strong scent

+

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, repels squash bugs

+

Bean

Fixes nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding cucumbers

+

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shade during hot afternoons

+

Sunflower

Attracts beneficial insects and provides natural support structure

+

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control cucumber pests

+

Lettuce

Provides ground cover to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds

Keep Apart

-

Sage

Inhibits cucumber growth through allelopathic compounds

-

Aromatic Herbs

Strong oils from herbs like rosemary and thyme can stunt cucumber growth

-

Potato

Competes for nutrients and may increase disease susceptibility

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 general disease resistance

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash bugs

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Tendergreen Burpless cucumber take to grow?
Tendergreen Burpless cucumbers mature in 62-70 days from seed. You can begin harvesting smaller 6-7 inch fruits around day 55 if desired, though peak flavor and texture occur when fruits reach full 8-10 inch size. With regular harvesting, productive vines continue producing new cucumbers for 8-10 weeks until frost.
Is Tendergreen Burpless cucumber good for beginners?
Yes, Tendergreen is excellent for beginning gardeners. It's rated as 'easy' difficulty with good disease resistance, vigorous growth that tolerates minor care mistakes, and reliable production. The variety's forgiving nature means even inconsistent watering or delayed harvesting won't ruin the crop, making it ideal for learning proper cucumber growing techniques.
Can you grow Tendergreen Burpless cucumber in containers?
Tendergreen can grow in containers, but requires large 20+ gallon pots due to its vigorous 6-8 foot vines. Use a sturdy trellis system and expect smaller yields than garden-grown plants. Container growing requires more frequent watering and fertilizing, but offers better pest control and extends the growing season in cooler climates.
What does Tendergreen Burpless cucumber taste like?
Tendergreen Burpless has an exceptionally mild, sweet cucumber flavor with zero bitterness. The flesh is crisp and refreshing without the sharp, sometimes astringent taste of traditional cucumbers. It's notably easy to digest and won't cause cucumber burps, making it ideal for people with sensitive stomachs or those who typically avoid cucumbers.
When should I plant Tendergreen Burpless cucumber seeds?
Plant Tendergreen seeds outdoors when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In cooler zones, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Soil temperature is more critical than air temperature—cold soil below 60°F prevents germination and can cause seed rot.
What's the difference between Tendergreen Burpless and regular cucumbers?
Tendergreen Burpless contains significantly lower levels of cucurbitacin compounds that cause bitterness and digestive issues in regular cucumbers. It has tender, never-bitter skin that doesn't require peeling, milder overall flavor, and better digestibility. The trade-off is that it's a hybrid variety, so seeds can't be saved, and it requires more garden space due to vigorous growth.

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