Russian Pickling Cucumber
Item Details
This early-maturing, smooth-green pickling cucumber has a sweet flavor and good crunch. Shared with Seed Savers Exchange by Daniel L. Flyger—who received it from his neighbor Viola Neubarth—this variety was reportedly brought to Hutchinson County, South Dakota, by the Schwartzmeer Deutsch (Black Sea Germans) in the 1870s.
- 50-55 days
- ±1,100 seeds/oz
- Organic
- Smooth green skin
- Sweet crisp flesh
This variety works for:
- Fresh eating
- Pickling
Cucumbers are most often used raw and are perfect in salads. Some chefs prefer to peel the skin off the fruit as it can be bitter.
Cucumbers pair well with mint an dill, which can be added directly to your salad or to dressings. Cucumber and mint can also be added to smoothies and juice. Tatziki sauce is made from shredded cucumber, yogurt, and dill.
Pickling cucumbers, however, are best for preserving in a solution of vinegar, salt, sugar, spices, and water. You can create countless number of combinations for your pickles to use on sandwiches, as a relish, or eaten as side dish.
Growing Instructions
Instructions - When growing plants on a trellis, space seed 6-8" apart and thin plants as necessary; train plants to climb the trellis with an initial guidance. Alternatively, make 12" hills at least 6' apart. Plant 6-8 cucumber seeds per hill 1" deep. After germination, thin to 3-4 plants per hill. Can also be started indoors 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cucumbers benefit from steady moisture.
- Direct Seed: 1" Deep
- Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds
- Thin: To 3-4 Plants
- Light: Full Sun
Ratings & Reviews
6 reviews
Real Russian Cucumbers-- Molodets!
by RW Texas
These cucumbers are superstars. I couldn't believe the yield I got off of maybe a half dozen plants. By midsummer there were fresh cucumbers for salads every day; great taste and not bitter. Brought back lots of memories of sliced agurtsi in the summertime in Russia and Ukraine.
There was such an abundance that I was able to make pickles of which there are still a couple jars in the fridge. What a great experience for my first time trying a vegetable garden in my adopted state of Texas.
High yield/Never got bitter
by WildBlue
Amazing cucumber! Last year I planted 6 seeds. It easily fed a family of 5. Produced enough to make several batches of pickles and even when the cukes grew too large they never got bitter. Grew until frost. This year I planted when it was cold and they got waterlogged. So I only had 3 plants that made it.
Love these!
by S/Louisiana
I love these and I'm not even a huge cucumber fan; I thought I'd try growing them to make fermented dill pickles. Yes they're good for pickling but also very tasty fresh off the vine. Very easy grower, very prolific, dozens of lovely little cucumbers from just one plant. I'm so glad I tried these!
A hidden gem
by Kerston.campbell@gmail.com
These have done superb. I ordered late, and ended up with late summer/fall cukes. I will plant these in my garden for years to come. They trellis well, and have a refreshing flavor. They also did not seem as bothered when the powdery mildew hit my other broad leafed plants. Overall a great experience and will plant more densely in the spring now that I know they are a true gem.
Great!
by Shannon
We absolutely loved these last year and are planting them again this year. I've never had luck in my cold, short season region (4B) with cucumbers before, and these grew like champs and changed everything. We let them sprawl with minimal trellising. We had a ton of pickles and the flavor was great. Highly recommend.
Great yield!
by MeadowRoseFarm
These are amazing. The germination rate wasn't great but the yield on the plants has been terrific. The flavor is sweet, the crunch is just what you want. Definitely check the plants daily or the cukes will take off on you.