Cucumber Seeds (Pickling) - SMR 58

Perfect Pickling Cucumbers for Crisp, Tangy Results

SMR 58 is a popular pickling cucumber variety known for its straight, dark green fruits and consistent quality. Ideal for both home gardeners and commercial growers, this variety is highly valued for producing crispy, crunchy pickles that maintain their texture even after pickling. Whether you're making classic dill pickles, sweet pickles, or pickling them in brine, SMR 58 cucumbers deliver excellent results.

Key Benefits

• Pickling Perfection: SMR 58 cucumbers are specifically bred for pickling, offering crispy texture and excellent flavor when processed.
• High Yield: Known for its abundant harvest, SMR 58 produces high-quality cucumbers over a long growing season.
• Disease Resistance: This variety offers good resistance to common cucumber diseases, including powdery mildew, downy mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus.
• Uniform Fruit Size: SMR 58 produces uniformly sized cucumbers that are perfect for making consistently sized pickles.
• Vigorous Growth: This variety features vigorous vines that are well-suited for growing in both open fields and greenhouses.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Spring/Summer: Plant seeds after the last frost, once soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C).

Planting Details

• Depth: Sow cucumber seeds 1 inch deep into the soil.
• Spacing: Space seeds about 6-12 inches apart in rows that are 36-48 inches apart to allow enough room for vines to spread.
• Light: Plant in a location that receives full sun with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Adding organic compost will help enrich the soil for better growth.

Watering and Care

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Cucumber plants prefer even moisture to prevent bitterness in the fruit.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting and once during the growing season to support strong plant growth and fruit development.
• Mulching: Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and maintain consistent soil temperature.
• Pruning: Prune side shoots to encourage better air circulation and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Harvesting

• Maturity: SMR 58 cucumbers mature in about 55-60 days from sowing.
• Harvest Time: For pickling, harvest cucumbers when they are about 3-5 inches in length. Harvest regularly to encourage further production and maintain high fruit quality.

Uses

• Pickling: SMR 58 cucumbers are ideal for pickling. Their firm flesh ensures they stay crisp after processing, making them great for dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, or sweet pickles.
• Fresh Eating: While designed for pickling, they can also be enjoyed fresh in salads or sandwiches for those who prefer smaller cucumbers.
• Canning and Preserving: This variety is perfect for canning and preserving, ensuring the cucumbers maintain their texture and flavor over time.

Coverage

• Packet: One packet of SMR 58 cucumber seeds will cover approximately 50-75 square feet, depending on planting density.

Why Choose SMR 58 Cucumbers?

SMR 58 cucumbers are the go-to choice for gardeners seeking a reliable, high-yielding pickling cucumber that offers crisp, crunchy pickles. With disease resistance, vigorous growth, and uniform fruit size, SMR 58 ensures you’ll have a bountiful harvest and the perfect cucumbers for pickling season. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, this variety is an excellent addition to your garden for both home-canning and fresh use.