Knowing how to make pickles is a skill every home-gardener or homesteader should have. Come see which canning method kept my pickles the crunchiest one year after preserving them!
Pickled cucumbers may be one of my favorite preserves that comes out of the garden, but then again, between the homemade fruit leather, the tangy and salty sauerkraut, and easy fermented tomatoes, it’s pretty hard to choose!
If you love crispy, crunchy pickles, even after they’ve been sitting on your pantry shelf for a year, then this is the recipe and method for canning pickles that you’ve been looking for!
Bush cucumbers are a delightful variety perfect for small space gardens. But if you’re new to growing them, you may be wondering – how big do bush cucumbers get? In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bush cucumber sizes and growth habits.
Bush cucumbers also called bush pickling cucumbers are a compact variety that produces full-sized cucumbers without sprawling vines. They are ideal for container gardening or small raised beds, as they only grow 1-2 feet tall and wide.
Unlike vining varieties that can spread over large areas, bush cucumbers form a tidy, dense bush shape. But don’t let their small stature fool you – they produce impressively large fruits!
Bush cucumbers come in many popular varieties, including
- Spacemaster
- Bush Crop
- Salad Bush
- Burpless Bush
Their compact form and prolific fruit production make them a favorite for gardeners short on space. But exactly how big do the fruits grow?
Typical Mature Size of Bush Cucumbers
Most bush cucumber varieties produce medium to large fruits, averaging 6 to 10 inches long when fully mature.
Here are some common size ranges by variety:
- Spacemaster – 6 to 8 inches long
- Bush Crop – 6 to 9 inches long
- Salad Bush – 7 to 8 inches long
- Burpless Bush – 8 to 10 inches long
So you can expect harvestable fruits in the range of 6 to 10 inches, with some varieties skewing toward the smaller or larger end of that spectrum.
In terms of diameter, bush cucumbers are typically 1.5 to 3 inches wide. Their shape is generally straight and cylindrical.
Factors Affecting Bush Cucumber Size
Several factors play a role in determining the ultimate size of bush cucumbers:
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Genetics – Some varieties are programmed for smaller size, like Spacemaster, while others can achieve 10 inch lengths.
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Growing Conditions – Bush cucumbers need ample sun, water, and nutrients to reach maximum size. Stress may limit growth.
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Time of Harvest – Picking fruits when immature leads to smaller size. Allowing them to fully mature results in larger cucumbers.
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Pruning and Thinning – This promotes plant productivity and enables proper fruit sizing.
Tips to Maximize Size
Here are some tips to help your bush cucumbers achieve their full genetic size potential:
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Provide nitrogen via compost/fertilizer to fuel growth.
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Water 1-2 inches per week and never let soil dry out.
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Allow at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Wait to harvest until fruits are completely mature.
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Prune overloaded vines to reduce overcrowding.
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Thin fruits to 3-4 inches apart to prevent undersized cucumbers.
Bush Cucumber Size is Not Indicative of Flavor
It’s important to note that the relatively smaller size of bush cucumbers does not compromise their flavor or texture. They are just as crisp, refreshing, and tasty as full-sized vining varieties!
So don’t let their compact vines fool you – with proper care, bush cucumber varieties can achieve lengths of 6 to 10 inches and provide a bountiful harvest of delicious fruits. Their space-saving size simply means you can enjoy homegrown cucumbers even in a small garden or container.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large do bush cucumber plants grow?
Bush cucumber plants grow about 1-2 feet tall and wide. Their vines reach lengths of around 2 feet – long enough to trellis if desired, but they do not require trellising.
What size pot do you need for bush cucumbers?
For container growing, use at least a 12 inch deep pot with drainage holes to accommodate their root system.
How big around do bush cucumbers get?
Bush cucumbers are typically 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter when mature. Their shape is generally straight and cylindrical.
How big are burpless bush cucumbers?
Burpless bush cucumbers can reach 10 inches long by 3 inches wide when provided with ideal growing conditions. They are an excellent slicing variety.
Conclusion
Bush cucumbers are a compact variety that produces impressively large fruits averaging 6 to 10 inches long. With their space-saving size and bountiful yields, they are perfect for small space gardens. Provide proper care and harvest at maturity for best results. The flavor and texture of bush cucumbers rival their vining counterparts – ideal for fresh eating and pickling!
Cold Salt Water Brine
The next step is to make a saltwater solution and soak your cucumbers for a minimum of 12 hours (up to 7 days). The beauty of soaking your cucumbers is that you don’t need to be ready to make pickles right when you pick your cucumbers (or bring them home from the market).
To make a saltwater solution, mix together 1 quart of warm water and 3/4 cups of salt (I used Redmond Real Salt) into a large two-gallon vessel. Stir well until the salt is dissolved then add in enough cold water to fill the vessel up to the two-gallon mark.
Homesteading Hack: (Using that link for Redmond Salt will automatically give you 15% off your order!)
Next, submerge your cucumbers into this brine (I use a large 5-gallon food-grade bucket) and weigh the cucumbers down under the brine with a plate or weight.
Allow cucumbers to sit in the brine, in the refrigerator, anywhere from 12 hours up to 7 days.
For the crispest pickles, move on to the next step within 3 days.
What Cucumbers are Best for Pickles?
When making homemade pickles, it’s important to choose a cucumber variety that’s specifically meant for pickling. You don’t want to use larger slicing varieties as your pickles won’t turn out as crunchy.
I also like to choose cucumbers that are on the smaller side so they fit into my pint-sized canning jars without needing to remove too much of the cucumber. I don’t want to waste any of my produce, if possible!
