Cucumis sativus ‘Early Russian’ — Early Russian Pickling Cucumber. The organic pickling cucumber ‘Early Russian’ is an early and generous variety that appeals through its speed, reliability and great versatility in the vegetable garden. Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles. Vigorous without becoming overly sprawling when well trained, it adapts to both growing in the ground and trellising, which facilitates its integration into vegetable gardens of all sizes.
Recommended planting period: May to June. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in.). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the soil at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). If starting cucumbers indoors or under cover, sow the pickling cucumber seeds in individual containers rather than a shared crowded tray. Their roots establish more readily when the root ball remains intact. Do not allow young plants to age too long in a small pot. Plant them outdoors once the soil has warmed, then protect the newly planted seedlings from strong wind.
Cucumber or pickle: it is mainly the desired crop size that guides the collection of this variety. Take the young and firm fruits if you want to prepare pickles. Growing cucumbers on a trellis makes the fruits easier to see and reduces their contact with the soil below. Install it firmly before the shoots lengthen, then guide their first tendrils towards it. At ground level, guide the vines into an open area and keep a path clear for harvesting. Keep shoots out of paths where they would be stepped on or moved whenever you tend the planting. Valued for homemade pickles, it quickly produces small, even, dark green fruits for frequent young harvests.
Light and life cycle
In the garden
Exposure
Full sun
Life cycle
Annual
Sowing and germination
Sowing guide
Sowing & germination
Sowing depth
2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 inches)
Germination temperature
20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F)
Germination time
5 to 10 days
Sowing period
May to June
Propagation
Sowing
Growing method
Recommended planting period: May to June. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in.). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the soil at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). If starting cucumbers indoors or under cover, sow the seeds in individual containers rather than a shared crowded tray. Their roots establish more readily after transplanting when the root ball is kept intact during the move. Do not allow young plants to age too long in a small pot. Plant them outdoors once the soil has warmed, then protect the newly planted seedlings from strong wind. At direct seeding, identify the locations so that weeds can be removed without displacing the young roots. Cucumbers grow rapidly once warm weather has settled in. Check beneath the leaves for hidden fruits so that none are overlooked and allowed to grow too large. Regular picking provides tender skin and seeds that have not yet fully developed. Cut the peduncles instead of pulling at the vines. Water at the base of the plant and keep the leaves spaced enough to dry after rain. Harvest leafy vegetables using the method appropriate to the type of plant. Picking the outer leaves preserves the centre of the plant when you want harvesting to continue.
Soil and care
Soil and care
Soil & care
Moisture
Keep the potting mix moist during emergence, without standing water; then adjust watering to suit the crop
Watering
pickling cucumber ‘Early Russian: Maintain regular moisture around the roots during growth and fruit formation. Water the base deeply enough to moisten more than the surface. Before watering again, check the condition of the soil underneath the foliage. Mulch helps slow the loss of soil moisture through evaporation, while regular checks are still needed to decide when to water. For plants grown in containers, check the moisture more frequently during hot weather, and always allow surplus water to drain out freely.
Soil type
Prepare well-drained soil for planting. Improve the area where the roots will settle, avoiding the need to work on wet soil. Mature compost can be used to prepare the vegetable garden. The water must penetrate easily and then evacuate, without persistent puddle at the foot. In containers, use a crop soil and a drilled pot. A lattice facilitates the organization of the stems, but does not correct a compact or poorly drained substrate.
Fertilization
Fertilization supports growth and should take into account the nutrients already present in the soil or potting mix. Use mature compost or a fertilizer suitable for the crop, following the recommended application rate. Avoid combining too many products, especially in a container where the roots have a limited volume of growing medium. Water as needed after applying nutrients, and observe foliage growth before deciding whether another fertilizer application is necessary.
Seasonal care
Cucumber or pickle: it is mainly the desired crop size that guides the collection of this variety. Take the young and firm fruits if you want to prepare pickles. If starting cucumbers indoors or under cover, sow the seeds in individual containers rather than a shared crowded tray. Their roots establish more readily after transplanting when the root ball is kept intact during the move. Do not allow young plants to age too long in a small pot. Plant them outdoors once the soil has warmed, then protect the newly planted seedlings from strong wind. At direct seeding, identify the locations so that weeds can be removed without displacing the young roots. Cucumbers grow rapidly once warm weather has settled in. Check beneath the leaves for hidden fruits so that none are overlooked and allowed to grow too large. Regular picking provides tender skin and seeds that have not yet fully developed. Cut the peduncles instead of pulling at the vines. Water at the base of the plant and keep the leaves spaced enough to dry after rain. Harvest leafy vegetables using the method appropriate to the type of plant. Picking the outer leaves preserves the centre of the plant when you want harvesting to continue. Very old leaves do not give the same tenderness as young shoots. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it thoroughly before a short stay in the refrigerator. Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles.
Growing in containers
Container growing
Container growing
Suitable for containers
Yes
Recommended pot size
A stable container with drainage holes, enough width for the plant’s spread and sufficient depth for its roots
Choose a location in full sun. Reserve this spread around the plant: 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft). For cucumbers grown in a container, the support must be just as stable as the pot itself. Secure the support before planting, and check that it can withstand wind pushing against the developing foliage. Maintain a supply of moisture within reach of the roots, without leaving them standing in stagnant water. Fruits are more easily picked when the stems are guided outwards from the support and the foliage does not form a compact mass. The organic pickling cucumber ‘Early Russian’ is an early and generous variety that appeals through its speed, reliability and great versatility in the vegetable garden. Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles. Vigorous without becoming overly sprawling when well trained, it adapts to both growing in the ground and trellising, which facilitates its integration into vegetable gardens of all sizes. Its yellow flowers attract many pollinators, essential to an abundant fruiting and continuous during the summer growing season.
Growth and harvest
Size, flowering & harvest
Mature height
30 to 50 cm (12 to 20")
Width / spread
1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft)
Foliage type
Seasonal foliage
Growth habit
Compact
Edible parts
Young fruits
Bloom period
Flowering usually occurs in this period: July to August. Keep the flowers on the plants while they are open, because they contribute to fruit formation. For varieties that require pollination, allow insects access to flowers and avoid treatments during their activity. The presence of a flower does not guarantee that a fruit will form. Maintain regular moisture during this step, without soaking the soil, and then monitor the development of the young fruit without damaging the stems.
Fruiting
Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles. Its early maturity makes it an excellent choice for gardeners eager to start harvests early in the season.
Harvest
50 to 60 days after sowing
Garden companions
Garden associations
Companion plants & uses
Companion plants
In a diverse planting, you can reserve sections close to these plants: corn, bean, peas. The association is used here to organize space and crops. Allow for the height, light requirements and water needs of each plant, leaving enough room between the foliage. Keep a path clear for watering and harvesting, then remove finished crops to make room for the next planting. This arrangement makes maintenance easier without promising protection against garden pests. Growing cucumbers on a trellis makes the fruits easier to see and reduces their contact with the soil below.
Garden use
Growing cucumbers on a trellis makes the fruits easier to see and reduces their contact with the soil below. Install it firmly before the shoots lengthen, then guide their first tendrils towards it. At ground level, guide the vines into an open area and keep a path clear for harvesting. Keep shoots out of paths where they would be stepped on or moved whenever you tend the planting. The organic pickling cucumber ‘Early Russian’ is an early and generous variety that appeals through its speed, reliability and great versatility in the vegetable garden. Vigorous without becoming overly sprawling when well trained, it adapts to both growing in the ground and trellising, which facilitates its integration into vegetable gardens of all sizes. Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles. Its yellow flowers attract many pollinators, essential to an abundant fruiting and continuous during the summer growing season. It appreciates the heat, the full sun and well-drained soil, where it quickly develops healthy and productive vegetation.
Recipe and storage
Recipe idea
From garden to table
Kitchen idea with Cucumber with pickle ‘Early Russian Cut 400 g of young fruit into thin slices, or in half for very small cucumbers. Mix with 125 ml of plain yogurt, 10 ml of lemon juice and 10 ml of chopped dill. Add a small pinch of salt and stir gently. For a lighter version, replace the yogurt with 15 ml of olive oil. Serve chilled soon after assembling the salad to keep the skin and flesh crisp. Prepare all the ingredients using clean kitchen utensils, and choose the size of the cut pieces according to the size of the produce you harvested. This recipe highlights freshly picked parts: remove damaged pieces before preparation. If you double the quantities, keep enough space in the dish to mix or cook evenly. Quickly place leftovers in the refrigerator in a closed container and consume them within two days. For a two-person meal, simply divide all quantities by two.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Early Russian Pickling Cucumber from seed?
Recommended planting period: May to June. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in.). Germination usually takes 5 to 10 days. For germination, keep the soil at 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). If starting cucumbers indoors or under cover, sow the seeds in individual containers rather than a shared crowded tray. Their roots establish more readily after transplanting when the root ball is kept intact during the move. Do not allow young plants to age too long in a small pot. Plant them outdoors once the soil has warmed, then protect the newly planted seedlings from strong wind. At direct seeding, identify the locations so that weeds can be removed without displacing the young roots.
Can I grow Early Russian Pickling Cucumber in a container?
Choose a location in full sun. Reserve this spread around the plant: 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft). For cucumbers grown in a container, the support must be just as stable as the pot itself. Secure the support before planting, and check that it can withstand wind pushing against the developing foliage. Maintain a supply of moisture within reach of the roots, without leaving them standing in stagnant water. Fruits are more easily picked when the stems are guided outwards from the support and the foliage does not form a compact mass. The organic pickling cucumber ‘Early Russian’ is an early and generous variety that appeals through its speed, reliability and great versatility in the vegetable garden.
When can I harvest Early Russian Pickling Cucumber?
Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles. Its early maturity makes it an excellent choice for gardeners eager to start harvests early in the season. Harvest leafy vegetables using the method appropriate to the type of plant. Picking the outer leaves preserves the centre of the plant when you want harvesting to continue. Very old leaves do not give the same tenderness as young shoots. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it thoroughly before a short stay in the refrigerator.
What makes Early Russian Pickling Cucumber distinctive in the garden?
Cucumber or pickle: it is mainly the desired crop size that guides the collection of this variety. Take the young and firm fruits if you want to prepare pickles. The organic pickling cucumber ‘Early Russian’ is an early and generous variety that appeals through its speed, reliability and great versatility in the vegetable garden. Valued for preparing homemade pickles, the variety quickly produces small, evenly shaped, dark green fruits that can be picked frequently while they are still young. Its mild and slightly sweet flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it just as pleasant to eat fresh as to preserve as pickles. Vigorous without becoming overly sprawling when well trained, it adapts to both growing in the ground and trellising, which facilitates its integration into vegetable gardens of all sizes.
How should I arrange a planting of Early Russian Pickling Cucumber?
Growing cucumbers on a trellis makes the fruits easier to see and reduces their contact with the soil below. Install it firmly before the shoots lengthen, then guide their first tendrils towards it. At ground level, guide the vines into an open area and keep a path clear for harvesting. Keep shoots out of paths where they would be stepped on or moved whenever you tend the planting. Cucumbers grow rapidly once warm weather has settled in. Check beneath the leaves for hidden fruits so that none are overlooked and allowed to grow too large. Regular picking provides tender skin and seeds that have not yet fully developed.
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