Variety field guide
What to expect from Boston Pickling Pickling cucumber Seeds
Boston Pickling seeds produce green fruit, 6–7 in long; about 2.25–2.5 in wide, on vining/climbing plants.
Read the complete product descriptionTraits, flavor, garden use, variety notes, and the full catalog record
Boston Pickling seeds produce green fruit, 6–7 in long; about 2.25–2.5 in wide, on vining/climbing plants. Grow it for fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest; Whether grown for homemade pickles or harvested young for fresh eating, Boston Pickling cucumber seeds deliver classic flavor, strong performance, and time-tested reliability season after season. Boston Pickling Cucumber Seeds produce classic heirloom pickling cucumber producing crisp, uniform fruits ideal for crunchy homemade pickles.
About Boston Pickling
Boston Pickling is an annual pickling cucumber with green color, 49–60 in mature height or spread, and a vining/climbing habit. Harvest form or size: 6–7 in long; about 2.25–2.5 in wide. Botanically it is Cucumis sativus L. Maturity or first bloom: 50-59 Days; germination: 7-10 Days at 75–90 °F. Best for fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest. Whether grown for homemade pickles or harvested young for fresh eating, Boston Pickling cucumber seeds deliver classic flavor, strong performance, and time-tested reliability season after season.
History and provenance
The North Carolina State University cultivar archive dates Boston Pickling to 1880 and lists Green Prolific and related names among its historical synonyms. The exact identity of the seed lot remains tied to its supplier and lot records, so no additional lineage is assigned beyond the cited record. Growers saving seed should keep the original packet, source, year, and selection notes with the lot. Boston Pickling cucumber seeds are a classic heirloom variety long valued for producing crisp, flavorful cucumbers ideal for pickling and fresh use. Known for their vigorous vining habit, Boston Pickling cucumber seeds grow strong, productive plants that set abundant dark green fruits with firm flesh and thin skins. Boston Pickling cucumber seeds thrive in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, spreading readily across garden beds or climbing efficiently when trellised. This variety performs reliably in a wide range of growing conditions and is favored by gardeners seeking traditional pickling quality with dependable yields.
Growing facts
| Scientific name | Cucumis sativus L. |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Annual |
| Maturity / first bloom | 50-59 Days |
| Germination | 7-10 Days at 75–90 °F |
| Seed depth | 1/2 in |
| Plant height / spread | 49–60 in |
| Growth habit | Vining/Climbing |
| Spacing | 12 in between plants; 36 in between rows |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Soil | Loamy; pH 6.0–6.5 |
| Water | Moderate |
| Support | Trellis |
Starting Boston Pickling from seed
How to grow Boston Pickling
Botanical identity: Cucumis sativus L. Life cycle: Annual.
Sow 1/2 in and use a seed-zone temperature near 75–90 °F. Expected emergence: 7-10 Days. No stratification; direct sow into warm soil or start briefly in biodegradable cells and transplant young
Plant during Late Spring. Space plants 12 in apart with 36 in between rows or planting bands.
Provide Full sun, moderate water, and loamy near pH 6.0–6.5. Support: Trellis.
Garden performance and care
Harvest Boston Pickling frequently at the intended eating stage so oversized fruit does not slow production. Keep vines off wet soil where possible, water at the root zone, and watch early for cucumber beetles and wilt symptoms. Expected emergence is 7-10 Days; the listed maturity or bloom timing is 50-59 Days.
Harvest, bloom, and uses
Boston Pickling is best for fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest. Harvest form or size: 6–7 in long; about 2.25–2.5 in wide. Color at the principal harvest or mature stage: Green. Whether grown for homemade pickles or harvested young for fresh eating, Boston Pickling cucumber seeds deliver classic flavor, strong performance, and time-tested reliability season after season.
Saving seed
Seed saving for Boston Pickling Select several healthy, true-to-type plants so the saved lot represents the variety rather than one unusually early or large individual. Cucumis sativus L. varieties can cross with other cucumbers of the same species through insect-carried pollen. Isolate by distance, flowering control, bagging, or hand pollination and maintain enough plants to represent the variety. Mark seed fruit early, then allow it to grow far past eating stage until large and pale, yellow, or golden. Hold mature fruit briefly if sound, scoop seed and pulp, ferment about 24–48 hours, wash away pulp and light seed, and dry the heavy seed thoroughly in a thin layer. Label the lot with isolation and selection records and test germination before distribution.
Common problems
Watch Boston Pickling for cucumber beetles, squash bugs where applicable, aphids, powdery or downy mildew, bacterial wilt, crown rot, poor pollination, and fruit damage on wet soil. Rotate cucurbit crops, provide airflow, water at the root zone, protect young plants before flowering, and remove covers when blossoms need pollinators. Do not work wet vines.
Frequently asked questions
When is Boston Pickling ready?
50-59 Days from warm direct sowing or equivalent established transplant
How long does germination take?
Expect 7-10 Days near 75–90 °F; actual emergence changes with moisture, seed condition, and soil temperature.
How large does it grow?
About 49–60 in with a vining/climbing habit. Support: Trellis.
Can it grow in a container?
Possible in a large container only with a sturdy trellis, frequent watering, and enough root volume.
How is it used?
Primary uses: fresh eating or pickling, trellised gardens, succession sowing, and summer harvest. Whether grown for homemade pickles or harvested young for fresh eating, Boston Pickling cucumber seeds deliver classic flavor, strong performance, and time-tested reliability season after season.
Can I save seed?
Yes where the crop biology allows, but keep compatible varieties isolated, use several healthy plants, wait for full seed maturity, dry thoroughly, and label the lot.
Minimum Seed Count:50 seeds
