How do you know when it's time to pick cucumbers?

Question

How do you know when it's time to pick cucumbers?

Answer 1

depends on what 7you are using them for...salads, slicing or eating raw should never be over 6 inches long...If they get too old they are full of hard seeds and bitter tasting.  If you are making pickles...small for sweet pickles  2-4 inches...dills same as for fresh raw.  If you must use old ones peal them completely  (skin will be bitter)  remove a couple inches off each end and quarter them.  Then scrape out the seeds and slice.  They will still be tough.

hope this helps.

Answer 2

John is right. don't let them get too big or they get too seedy. Six inches seems like a good size. You don't want them to get big like zucchini.  Try one and if you think it is too small let them grow a little bigger is a good suggestion, but they grow fast so that is not a problem.

Answer 3

I have just picked 4 lovely 8-10 inch cukes and they are delicious.  I wait until they have thickened all the way to the bottom; before they are ready the bottom half will be very thin.