Description

The English cucumber is longer (up to 18″) and thinner than traditional cucumbers, with very small, soft seeds. 'Telegraph Improved' was developed in the 1800s for growing in greenhouses, but is now a favorite of home gardeners for the long, thin-skinned, burpless fruits that add a cool, mild flavor and a snappy crunch to salads and sandwiches. Cucumbers develop best when grown on a trellis and get regular moisture while fruits are forming.

Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus var. sativus
Days to Maturity: 60 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native: Southern Asia
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Dimensions: 8' vines
Variety Information: 10″–18″ long, skinny, dark green fruits with sweet flesh. Vines can be up to 8' long.
Type: Parthenocarpic, slicing cucumber
Attributes: Burpless, Parthenocarpic

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°–90°F.
When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Cucumbers are sensitive to root disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ½”
Seed Spacing: A group of 2 seeds every 12″
Row Spacing: 36″
Thinning: When 3 leaves, thin to 1 plant every 12″

Harvesting: Pick, and pick some more! Overly mature cucumbers on the vine will slow production of new cucumbers. Cut the stem rather than pulling at the fruit, as stems are fragile. To increase the quality and storage time, once picked, immediately immerse in cold water to disperse “field heat”.

This packet sows up to 8 feet of trellised cucumbers. 20 seeds.