- Germination
- 8 days
- Seed depth
- 1/2 inch
- Spacing
- 3 feet between rows and 2 feet between plants within the same rows
- Sun requirements
- Full sun
- Days to harvest
- 60-70 days
- Growing zone(s)
- 4a-11b
Straight eight cucumbers, considered an heirloom variety by some, are typically chosen for their sweet and mild flavor. They're also relatively large cucumbers, being picked at around 8 inches long. They also have a relatively standard cylindrical shape, hence the name "straight eight".
These cucumbers have a dark green skin, firm flesh, and a crisp texture, which makes them perfect for slicing to add to salads and for dipping. Personally, there's not much better on a hot day than dipping some freshly sliced cucumbers in some ranch dressing!
Straight eight cucumbers should be planted in an area that gets full sun, with well draining soil, but they will also grow in partial shade if needed. While I can't confirm, I would expect a lesser harvest on plants grown in partial shade conditions compared to full sun, though.
Sow the seeds about 1/2 inch deep after the last frost. You can also start them indoors, in seed trays, about 3-4 weeks before your last expected frost. If you're starting them indoors, to transplant outdoors later, you may want to acclimate them to the outdoor weather over the course of a few weeks before putting them into their final spot in your garden. Plants should be spaced about 3-4 feet apart, but can be planted closer within rows. It's also recommended to plant cucumbers at 3 week intervals so you can get fresh cucumbers spread out over the entirety of the growing season!
Bonus tip: Straight eight cucumbers also do better when grown on a trellis. They love to climb!
Cucumber vines are easily damaged, so it's important to take special care not to step on the vines or disturb them too much, especially when it's time to harvest. These cucumbers are not drought tolerant. They'll typically need about 2 inches of water per week, which will also help prevent a bitter taste.
Your cucumbers will be ready to harvest after about 60-70 days in the ground. Again, as the name implies, these cucumbers should be harvested at around 8 inches long. It's recommended that you use a sharp knife, or a sharp pair of scissors, to cut the cucumbers from the vine rather than simply pulling them off, to help prevent disease or damage to the vine. If one of your cucumbers starts to yellow, it should be harvested immediately. Letting your cucumbers over-ripen can tell the plant that producing more cucumbers is no longer needed.
Cucumbers are more than 90% water and can last about 10 days without refrigeration. Most are consumed fresh, but pickling (of course) is a very popular method of preservation.
Here's a photo of some straight eight cucumbers, taken by @Meadowlark, several months ago.
These cucumbers have a dark green skin, firm flesh, and a crisp texture, which makes them perfect for slicing to add to salads and for dipping. Personally, there's not much better on a hot day than dipping some freshly sliced cucumbers in some ranch dressing!
Sowing seeds and planting
Straight eight cucumbers should be planted in an area that gets full sun, with well draining soil, but they will also grow in partial shade if needed. While I can't confirm, I would expect a lesser harvest on plants grown in partial shade conditions compared to full sun, though.
Sow the seeds about 1/2 inch deep after the last frost. You can also start them indoors, in seed trays, about 3-4 weeks before your last expected frost. If you're starting them indoors, to transplant outdoors later, you may want to acclimate them to the outdoor weather over the course of a few weeks before putting them into their final spot in your garden. Plants should be spaced about 3-4 feet apart, but can be planted closer within rows. It's also recommended to plant cucumbers at 3 week intervals so you can get fresh cucumbers spread out over the entirety of the growing season!
Bonus tip: Straight eight cucumbers also do better when grown on a trellis. They love to climb!
Care when growing
Cucumber vines are easily damaged, so it's important to take special care not to step on the vines or disturb them too much, especially when it's time to harvest. These cucumbers are not drought tolerant. They'll typically need about 2 inches of water per week, which will also help prevent a bitter taste.
Harvesting
Your cucumbers will be ready to harvest after about 60-70 days in the ground. Again, as the name implies, these cucumbers should be harvested at around 8 inches long. It's recommended that you use a sharp knife, or a sharp pair of scissors, to cut the cucumbers from the vine rather than simply pulling them off, to help prevent disease or damage to the vine. If one of your cucumbers starts to yellow, it should be harvested immediately. Letting your cucumbers over-ripen can tell the plant that producing more cucumbers is no longer needed.
Cucumbers are more than 90% water and can last about 10 days without refrigeration. Most are consumed fresh, but pickling (of course) is a very popular method of preservation.
Photo
Here's a photo of some straight eight cucumbers, taken by @Meadowlark, several months ago.