Bush Pickle Cucumber – Space-Saving Heirloom Pickler with Heavy Yields

Bush Pickle Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a compact, space-saving heirloom pickling variety that delivers heavy harvests of classic 4–5" pickling cucumbers from plants just 24–36" wide. With one of the shortest growing seasons of any pickling cucumber — ready in just 50 days — Bush Pickle is ideal for small gardens, raised beds, and containers. Resistant to Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Scab. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom.

Why Grow Bush Pickle Cucumber?

• Compact bush habit — 24–36" spread, perfect for small spaces and containers
• Early producer — ready in just 50 days, one of the fastest pickling cucumbers
• Heavy yields — prolific fruiting from a small footprint
• Disease resistant — Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Scab resistant
• Classic pickling size — 4–5" fruits, perfect for jars
• Deer resistant — hairy leaves and spines deter most deer

Growth Habits

• Days to Maturity: 50 days
• Days to Germination: 6–10 days
• Fruit Size: 4–5", green, classic pickling cucumber
• Flavor: Classic, mildly sweet
• Plant Height: 18–30"
• Plant Width/Spread: 24–36"
• Growth Habit: Compact vine — bush type, can sprawl or grow with light trellis support
• Pollination: Monoecious — both male and female flowers; requires insect or hand pollination
• Disease Resistance: Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Scab

Starting & Growing Tips

• Direct sow preferred — sow 1–2 weeks after last frost date
• Can start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting
• Sow 1" deep, 12–18" apart, rows 48" apart
• Germination temperature: 75–85°F
• Grow in rich, well-draining soil with pH 6–6.8 in full sun
• Temperature preference: 64–86°F — does not tolerate frost or temps below 50°F
• Water consistently — keep soil hydrated and fertile for well-shaped fruits
• Soil test before feeding — high nitrogen leads to low fruit production
• Trellis optional but promotes airflow and healthier plants
• Hand-pollinate to increase fruit set if insect activity is low

Harvesting

Harvest when fruits reach 4–5" long — perfect pickle jar size. Harvest frequently while young to keep plants producing prolifically. Allowing fruits to over-mature reduces overall yields. Use pruning shears to remove fruits; avoid pulling from the vine.

Culinary Uses

Bush Pickle is the classic home pickling cucumber — mildly sweet with the ideal size and skin texture for dill pickles, bread-and-butter pickles, and relish. Also excellent eaten fresh in salads or as a garden snack.

• Dill pickles & bread-and-butter pickles
• Relish & fermented pickles
• Fresh sliced in salads
• Garden snacking

Planting Information

• Seeding Depth: 1"
• Plant Spacing: 18–24"
• Row Spacing: 48"
• Square Foot Spacing: 1 plant per sq ft
• Soil Preference: Rich, well-draining; pH 6–6.8
• Temperature Preference: 64–86°F
• Light Preference: Full sun
• Pests/Diseases: Resistant to CMV and Scab. Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, spider mites, squash vine borers, snails, cutworms. Practice crop rotation.
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Seed Details

• Latin Name: Cucumis sativus
• Hardiness Zones: 2–12 (Annual)
• Seed Origin: USA
• Non-GMO | Open-Pollinated | Heirloom