Waiting for the moment when you can collect the first summer vegetables from the home harvest to enjoy as a fresh salad is a difficult task. But it's important to get it at the right time so you can fully experience its juicy, crunchy flavor. Find out when cucumbers are ready to harvest, whether you want to eat them fresh or pickle them, in this article!
When are cucumbers ripe and ready to pick? The timing of harvesting cucumbers varies depending on the variety. In general, however, the best time to do this is when the vegetables are not too large, as that is when their flavor is most intense and crunchy. The smaller the cucumber, the juicier it will be. Have we confused you? No need to worry! Now we will explain to you at what length you should best pick the different types of cucumbers in order to optimally enjoy their taste.
- Cucumbers, of which snake cucumbers are the most common in the market, reach a length of up to 30 cm. They are often grown in greenhouses. However, if you have planted them in your garden, feel free to harvest them when they reach 15cm in length.
- Pickling cucumbers grown outdoors often grow easily with acurved shape. The best length to harvest them is 9 cm. The smallest cucumbers for pickling are gherkins. You can safely collect this variety when they are 5 cm tall.
What other factors should you consider?
- Cucumber plants require a long growing season and are ready to harvest 50 to 70 days after planting.
- They should be picked before the first signs of yellowing appear, which indicates the vegetable is past its prime. Cucumbers that hang on the vine for too long have a bitter taste that spoils their fresh flavor.
- If you press them gently, you should feel the cucumbers firmly along their entire length. If they feel soft, they have been on the shoot for too long. Another sign of when cucumbers are ripe is their evenly colored, smooth skin.
- Unlike other fruits, cucumbers do not develop further after harvest.
- The optimal time for harvesting is early in the morning when the vines are still cool.
What does it mean when cucumbers have yellow leaves? What the possible causes are and what you can do about themfind out here!
How do you go about harvesting cucumbers correctly?
We recommend that you wear gloves when harvesting cucumbers. Because some varieties – like those for pickling – are prickly. If your plants have spines, you can remove them by rubbing them with a soft vegetable brush.
Cut the cucumber from the vine using a sharp knife or pruning shears. Make sure that a small piece of stem, a few centimeters long, remains on the cut fruit. This will prevent the cucumber from rotting if you don't eat it right away.
- Tipp: This is the gentlest and easiest method of harvesting for the plant itself. Twisting or pulling on the vine can damage the plant.
Carefully place the picked cucumbers in a basket as some varieties are prone to bruising.
Bad neighbors for cucumbers – Which plants should you never plant together in the bed? You can do thatfind out here!
How to properly store cucumbers
Cucumbers are best eaten fresh, but can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, although this is not recommended. The refrigerator is good only for sliced specimens that you will eat soon. These should be stored in the crisper drawer, but not near tomatoes or apples as these release ethylene, which is harmful to cucumbers.
But back to the freshly harvested crop. These specimens are best stored in a cool cellar or pantry, the temperature of which is not lower than 10 degrees Celsius. When exposed to very low temperatures, cucumber plants quickly become soft and inedible. However, at the right temperature, they can last up to two weeks in your pantry or basement.
