Quick Navigation
Main Navigation
About Us
Education & Events
Ways to Give & Membership
Preservation
Shop
sort
‘North Carolina Heirloom’ Cucumber: a Garden Delight
Marian Hart of Pollocksville , North Carolina , was a frequent lister in the Seed Savers ExchangeYearbookin the 1980s and 1990s . A gardener since 1962 , Marian listed an assortment of melon , watermelons , genus Sorghum , and tomatoes . But none of those varieties was as popular and beloved as her cucumber diversity : the‘North Carolina Heirloom ’ cucumber .
This cuke has quite an all-embracing history for being such a petite fruit . It was rise in the North Carolina sight as a pickling cuke since at least the eighties , some 100 years before Marian received its seed from her next - door neighbor . Thanks to Marian ’s distinguish preference and sharp foresight , she decided to also deal this seed with the Seed Savers Exchange community .
From theYearbook , the ‘ North Carolina Heirloom ’ cucumber introduce the Seed Savers ExchangeCollection . The cucumber impress saving stave , who then tote up it to the Seed Savers Exchangecatalogfor purchase in 2020 .
A scan of ‘North Carolina Hairloom’ cucumbers taken at Heritage Farm.
This small , true , white-hot fruit has sparse , little black spines that can be easily rubbed off for fresh eating . fruit measure about 4 inches by 2 in and weigh only a few ounces ; the slightly ridged green bod is juicy and crunchy with well flavor , and the cutis turns dark orange at full seed maturity .
Today , nurseryman enjoy the ‘ North Carolina Heirloom ’ cucumber well beyond the Tar Heel State , and it ’s well-to-do to see why . These cucumber are prolific and tolerate hot , ironic weather as well as wet conditions . They also resist pest pressure until deep in the time of year . This cucumber sets yield quickly , and the skin is not tough , establish it an ideal garden snack !
Five-Star Reviews:
“ I just harvested the first NC Heirloom cucumber this forenoon and share it with my husband . Oh my ! It was luscious . Not as strong tasting as the common gullible cuke from the food market narration . But it was crunchy and slightly sweet . It had a large seed pocket with only about 1/3 inch of figure . We eat on some with the Robert Peel and some without . Both were good . The peel is not tough . I already have source In a jarful ready to save . This is a keeper . ”
— Carol
“ Proven winner in my Georgia garden . 45 minute north of Atlanta . Can be blistering and dry and also can be quite sloshed . These germinate , and go to work at once climbing and set bud . They do not take care hot / teetotal , and they will stomach wet . They are PROLIFIC producers . In one week , four plant create almost 20 fruit . And , the next week — they were back at it with another 15 . Did n’t succumb to pest pressure until the very death of July . I highly advocate this multifariousness . ”
A scan of ‘North Carolina Hairloom’ cucumbers taken at Heritage Farm.
— Lizzie McD
“ buy these last year and they are great . well-situated to grow , cherubic cucs . Big yield from each plant . Even my dog loves them . That ’s the only varmint I have to deal with . I ’m in cardinal NC . ”
— Kim
‘North Carolina Heirloom’ cucumbers picked when pale green for fresh eating.
What is a pickling cucumber?
There are two kinds of cucumbers : pickle and slicing . Each has key differences , crap them unparalleled for each function .
Pickling cucumbers are shorter and stouter than slicing cucumber for fresh feeding . They have dry , crunchy flesh and small seeds to absorb a lot of saltwater without becoming too “ watery . ” They also have a thin skin and visually appeal shameful thorn .
fade cuke , on the other hand , are grown for immediate consumption , usually as a salad point . They are longer in size of it than a pickling cucumber , with thick , undifferentiated , dark - green skins . They have larger seed than pickle variety , and their shape is voluptuous , mild , and refreshing .
‘North Carolina Heirloom’ cucumbers turn yellow at seed maturity.
How to grow cucumbers
Cucumber plants are fecund and produce well in many region of the United States . cuke are a keen plant for beginning seeded player savers .
Direct sow Cucumis sativus seed after the peril of icing has pass and the soil temperature has warmed .
In your garden , make 12 - inch hills at least 6 feet aside . works 6 - 8 cucumber seeds per hill . works seed 1 inch abstruse . After germination , thin to 3 - 4 plants per mound .
A patch of ‘North Carolina Heirloom’ cucumbers.
Cucumbers produce for fresh eating are harvested before they reach seed maturity . Cucumber flora rise for a come harvest time approaching seminal fluid matureness upwards of 45 - 60 Clarence Day after pollenation .
Complete Guide : Grow and Save Cucumber Seeds
Thank you to SSE semen historiographer , Sara Straate , for provide information on the account of the ‘ North Carolina Heirloom ’ cucumber .
3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990
Copyright © 2025 Seed Savers Exchange . Images on this web site are protected by copyright — unauthorized consumption is not countenance .
Seed Savers Exchange is a tax - exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit system dedicated to the saving of heirloom seeds .
