How long does it take from planting to harvest?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Comprehending cucumber growth timelines helps gardeners plan accordingly. Any cucumber will be ready to harvest 50-70 days after planting, provided the proper conditions are met. However, these timelines can vary according to the variety, prevailing weather conditions, and the cultivation techniques used. Understanding these factors helps you harvest your crispy, delicious cucumbers at the right time.
Germination Phase
- Seeds sprout in 3-10 days at 70-95°F soil
- Cover seeds lightly with ½ inch soil
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
Vegetative Growth
- Plants establish leaves and vines in 20-30 days
- Provide 6+ hours sunlight daily
- Apply balanced fertilizer weekly
Flowering to Harvest
- Flowers appear around day 30-40
- Fruits develop rapidly in 10-20 days
- Harvest when fruits reach variety-specific size
Pickling varieties, like 'Boston Pickling', are the fastest to reach maturity, 50-55 days. Harvest small, two to four inches long. Slicing cucumbers, like 'Marketmore', take 60-70 days and do best about six to eight inches long. Note: Numbers change, depending on temperature.
Opt for varieties that grow the fastest in your area, and do everything possible to enhance their growth speed by cultivating them in warm soil above 70°F and maintaining consistently moist soil. Use black plastic mulch to increase soil temperature. If you wish to extend the season in cool areas, try placing row covers over the crops to retain this heat. Most varieties will arrive 5-10 days sooner, with an earlier target of 230.ENDTEXT.APRIL at least.
Monitor for ripeness indicators as you near your expected harvest dates. A glossy, firm skin means they are optimally fresh. If they feel soft to the touch or the skin is starting to turn yellow, they may be overripe. Pick every day or two, always using sharp pruners to avoid damaging the vines, and they will continue to set fruit.
Suppose you plant seeds of fast-maturing varieties every three weeks after the last frost. In that case, you can enjoy continuous harvests throughout the season. This technique will provide you with fresh, delicious cucumbers from summer through early fall. (You can plant for constant harvest, but you must time the last plantings to allow 10 weeks before your first expected frost.)
Read the full article: How to Grow Cucumbers Successfully
