Bush cucumbers are a lovely type that are great for gardens with limited space. If you’ve never grown bush cucumbers before, you might be wondering how big they get. This whole guide will tell you everything you need to know about their sizes and how they grow.
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.
Bush cucumbers grow in a neat, dense bush shape, while vining cucumbers can spread out over a large area. Do not be fooled by their small size, though; the fruits they produce are very big!
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 types of bush cucumbers have medium to large fruits that are about 6 to 10 inches long when they are fully grown.
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 the fruits that are ready to be picked will be between 6 and 10 inches long, though some varieties will be smaller or larger than that.
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
Next, mix salt and water together and soak your cucumbers in it for at least 12 hours and 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).
First, fill a large two-gallon container with warm water. Then, add 1 quart of salt and 3/4 cups of salt (I used Redmond Real Salt). Add enough cold water to fill the container up to the two-gallon mark and stir well until the salt is gone.
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!
