Days to Maturity: 52
If Peter picked a peck of National Pickles . . . Welcome to the best heirloom cucumber we've tried yet. Developed decades ago by the National Pickle Packers Association in conjunction with the Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station, this is the pickle that perfectly fills every jar with its thick tips and crisp, delectable flavor.
Pickle packers requested a cucumber that would not have tapered ends, so that every pickle jar could be more completely filled, giving consumers an extra bite or two of goodness from every cuke. The result was National Pickling Cucumber, and it exceeded their expectations. Blunt, thick cukes up to 6 inches long are only slightly tapered at the ends.
Dark green with black spines, these cukes are delicious at any age. Pick them at 2 to 3 inches for gherkins, or at 4 inches for fresh eating as slicers. Or let them mature to full size (1¼ pounds on average). They deliver heavy yields all season long, not to mention good resistance to scab and cucumber mosaic virus.
The pickle packers of yesteryear got it right. National Pickling is a fantastic all-around cucumber, and one that will be a star in your vegetable patch. Plan a place of honor for it today, and begin growing the cuke that has stood the test of time.
Resists: CMV/S
