How do I know if my cucumber is ripe?

[Martin H]

I don't eat cucumbers and I've never grown them before, but Mrs H loves them so I'm giving them a go.

My first ever cuc is now about 4 inches long. How do I tell when it's ready to pick?

[Penellype]

How big it grows will depend on the variety, but apparently you can pick them at any size as cucumbers are eaten when under ripe. When they are fully ripe they go yellow and presumably the seeds harden. Some varieties are the traditional long cucumber that you see in the shops, others are shorter and grow to about 4 inches long (I am growing one of these but so far the biggest one is only 1/2 an inch).

[Martin H]

Thanks Penellype. I'll pick my first one now then and see what the boss thinks. I'll let some later ones grow bigger until one of them goes yellow, then I'll (a) know how big they grow and (b) have some seed for next year. Simples.

[Bill HH]

When they are over ripe they start to go yellow from the flower end, you can still eat the rest of it. I think when they are about 10 to 12 inches long for ordinary cucumbers is an optimal size.

[teakdesk]

Thanks Penellype. I'll pick my first one now then and see what the boss thinks.

Most of the common varieties I see in seed shops or online have fruit that grows to either 6 or 7 inches or 12 inches. I find that if picked too early the seeds are so small they get stuck in my teeth!!!

If the fruit has a prickly exterior I pick when a quick wipe of the hand wipes all the prickles away. Depending on the weather we have, home grown ones can have a tougher, more bitter skin than shop bought and often benefit from a little peeling.

I'll let some later ones grow bigger until one of them goes yellow, then I'll (a) know how big they grow and (b) have some seed for next year. Simples.

Unless you have selected a packet of F! seed (surprisingly commonly found in shops) in which case it won't come true next year!

[Martin H]

Unless you have selected a packet of F! seed (surprisingly commonly found in shops) in which case it won't come true next year!

The variety is Tamra, described on the interwebs as a small, thin-skinned, open pollinated variety. There's no other cucumbers nearby so I'm expecting it to come true from seed if I can save any.

[Richard Eldritch]

I do those mini cucchino types in a blow away Asda jobby. Bumper crop this year. I pick them when they're 3-6 inches. My advice would be think of the super markets stuff and pick a bit before.