Photo: "Cucumbers" by Jim, the Photographer · CC BY 2.0

Cucumber · Slicing

Straight Eight Cucumber

Vine · Cucurbitaceae

Straight Eight is the classic heirloom slicing cucumber, known for straight dark-green 7-8 inch fruit and dependable garden flavor. It suits gardeners who want a traditional trellised cucumber and do not mind a little more vine room than compact patio types need.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

60–65 days

Sun

8+ hours

full sun 8+ hours

Spacing

12–18 "

Seed Start

2–4 weeks

before transplant

Container

Not Ideal

7+ gallon pot

Height

4–6 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 3–10 days

Optimal Temp 85°F

Seed Depth 1"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 65°F

Harden Off 5 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs Consistent

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Soil Type Warm, fertile, well-drained loam with plenty of compost.

Support Trellis — A trellis keeps fruit cleaner, improves airflow, and saves space.

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Low

Common Problems

powdery-mildew

Cause: Warm days, humid nights, and aging foliage let mildew spread fast on cucurbits.

Prevention: Trellis, space well, avoid drought stress, and remove infected leaves early.

cucumber-beetles

Cause: Adults feed on seedlings and flowers and can spread bacterial wilt.

Prevention: Use row cover until bloom, scout often, and keep weeds down.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Recommended Recipes Root drench

Harvest

Pick when skin is glossy, seeds are still soft, and fruit matches the variety's mature size range.

Expected Yield 4–10 lbs/plant

Storage 7 days — Refrigerate unwashed fruit in the crisper and avoid very cold storage below about 50°F for long periods.

Sources

seed_catalog Annie's Heirloom Seeds university University of Minnesota Extension

More Cucumbers

Straight Eight Cucumber Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Straight Eight Cucumber vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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