Cucumber - Chicago Pickling
I bought these seeds from a local store. This variety was released in 1888, though there seems to be some confusion on if it came from DM Ferry of Detroit, or somewhere else in Chicago. I read varying facts on different sites, but all agreed it originated in 1888. This black spined, thin skinned, and firm cucumber grows up to 8 inches, but is often harvested at 3-5 inches to make gherkins, or 6-7 inches to make dill spears or bread & butter pickles. It can also be used as a slicing cucumber when it's on the bigger side. Chicago Pickling cucumbers are resistant to scab and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), but are prone to powdery mildew. According to the reviews I could find, you should expect 3-4 pounds of cucumbers per plant, but there were reports of yields as high as 10-20 pounds per plant in especially good years when plants were given a lot of space to trellis out (not all over itself, to avoid powdery mildew). The yields are considered to be prolific. All of the reviews I read did tend to agree that this is a superior pickling variety. USDA NSL 92507.
55-60 days to maturity
55-60 days to maturity