25 seeds.
Matures in 57 days.
Planting companions: Corn, radishes, peas, cabbage family, carrots, beans, lettuce, basil, ...
Unsuitable companions: Potato, sage, and other aromatic plants.
This variety of cucumber with black spines is highly valued for pickling but can also be enjoyed fresh when allowed to grow larger.
Harvest regularly throughout the season for a higher yield. Expect heavy and continuous yields of fruits measuring 3" to 6", perfect for pickling. The dark green cucumbers with blunt ends can also be used in salads or sliced. When the flowering end of the cucumber begins to yellow, it indicates that the cucumber is ready to be harvested. Cucumbers store well in the refrigerator.
It is highly recommended to start cucumber seeds directly in large peat pots or plant them directly in the garden since cucumber plants do not like to be transplanted. Start the seeds indoors about 2 weeks before the last expected ground frost by placing 3-4 seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch. Maintain the room temperature at least 25°C (80°F). When two or three leaves appear on each plant, keep only the strongest plant by cutting the others with scissors. Don't forget to acclimate your plants before transplanting them to the garden. Wait at least one week after the last frost when the outdoor air temperature averages 16-18°C. Cucumbers like heat and cannot tolerate even a slight frost; if cold threatens, cover the plants without hesitation. Plant them in full sun in rich soil.
Cucumbers like to climb, so provide them with a trellis that will save space in your garden and make picking cucumbers easier. Some gardeners plant their cucumbers with corn as they benefit each other. Planting radishes near your cucumbers seems to repel cucumber beetles*.
(Cucumber Beetle: The Striped Cucumber Beetle is a species of beetles in the Chrysomelidae family, native to North America. This beetle is a pest of Cucurbitaceae crops, both in larval and adult stages. It is also a vector of bacterial and viral diseases. [Source: Wikipedia])
Heat and humidity are key to harvesting excellent cucumbers: always keep the soil moist. When the plants have grown, apply mulch or straw to retain moisture and control weeds. Watch out for cucumber beetles and remove them immediately to prevent damage.