They are a fast growing crop under good growing conditions. Harvest by cutting the stem 1/4" above the fruit. Cucumbers taste best when harvested in the immature stage (Figure 2). Cucumbers should not be allowed to reach the yellowish stage as they become bitter with size.

Pickling Cucumbers.

Depending on their use, harvest on the basis of size. Pickling cucumbers will be ready when they are at least 2 inches long. Growing Cucumbers in Your Garden for Pickling and Fresh Eating February 18, 2018 // Updated July 31, 2019 // by Kris Bordessa // Leave a Comment Cucumbers add a fresh, light flavor to salads, but they’re also a great addition to fresh smoothies.

Pickling cucumber plants yield heavy crops of fruit just over a few weeks. Seed Saving Instructions (for gardeners): Cucumbers are insect pollinated and cross-pollinated. Cucumber plants need at least 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of water per week to grow. Harvest them at any stage to make pickles of any style.
Cucumbers are warm weather plants and you can't sow seed outdoors early. Pickling cucumbers are usually going to be smaller and shorter than the slicing cucumbers that you would find in a supermarket. Probably the best-known pickling cucumber is the gherkin, known for its small, squatty appearance and bumpy skin. Sow seeds indoors to have plants ready when the temperature heats up.

Though cucumbers can usually be harvested when they are 7-8 inches long, when harvesting for pickles, it is best to harvest them at about 4 inches long.

Cucs can always be harvested smaller, especially for pickling.

For example, you can pick cucumbers for pickling starting when they are 2 inches long. This combination of unique traits makes them absolutely perfect for the pickling process. Harvesting ripe cucumbers at the right time ensures sweet fruits that have no bitterness. Cucumbers left on the vine too long have a bitter taste that ruins the fresh flavor. Water your cucumber plant at least once a week. Plant two or three varieties of cucumbers that have a different number of days to maturity . However, it only takes 65 days to produce and is an excellent option for making pickles or as a gorgeous addition to your salads.


The fruits can be harvested while small and young at around 50 days for pickles or left to mature to 67 days for slicing cucumbers. Their flesh and skin also tend to be thicker and crispier that slicing varieties as well. On the other hand, you should harvest cucumbers for slicing when they are full size, usually 8 inches or longer.

Most varieties make crispy firm dill pickles when picked at approximately 4” in length. Harvest pickling cucumbers when they are about 3 inches long.