How to Grow Perkins Long Green Cucumber
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Perkins Long Green Cucumber
Cucumis sativus 'Perkins Long Green'
vegetablePerkins Long Green is a classic slicing cucumber variety known for producing long, dark green fruits ideal for fresh eating and pickling. This heirloom cultivar has been a gardening favorite for over a century, valued for its reliability and consistent productivity. The vining plants are vigorous and prolific, making them excellent for home gardens and small-scale farms.
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Example Perkins Long Green Cucumber timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Perkins Long Green Cucumber
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Perkins Long Green Cucumber
Around Jun 11≈ 55 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9; can grow in zone 3 with season extension
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Seedling
2-3 weeksYoung plants with 2-4 true leaves, small and tender with initial seed leaves still visible
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to strongest plants if direct seeding. Protect from temperature fluctuations.
Vegetative/Vine Development
2-3 weeksVigorous vine growth with multiple runners developing, leaves are broad and deeply lobed, tendrils appear for climbing
Provide trellis or support structure. Begin fertilizing weekly with balanced or slightly higher nitrogen fertilizer. Maintain consistent watering. Pinch tips if needed to encourage branching.
Flowering
1-2 weeksYellow flowers appear at leaf axils; both male and female flowers present (female flowers have tiny fruit behind the bloom)
Ensure adequate pollination by allowing bee access or hand-pollinating if necessary. Continue regular watering and feeding. Reduce nitrogen slightly to encourage fruiting.
Fruiting
4-6 weeksSmall green fruit rapidly elongates into dark green, 8-10 inch slicing cucumbers with bumpy skin
Harvest frequently (every 2-3 days) to encourage continued production. Provide consistent water and regular feeding. Monitor for pests and diseases. Mulch to keep soil cool.
Peak Production/Harvest
3-4 weeksMature 8-10 inch dark green fruits ready for harvest; plants continue producing new flowers and fruit
Pick cucumbers regularly when firm and deep green. Avoid letting fruits over-mature on vine as this slows new fruit production. Continue watering and fertilizing.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use row covers until flowering; plant trap crops; apply neem oil or spinosad; hand-pick adult beetles in early morning
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Ensure good air circulation and full sun exposure; spray with sulfur or potassium bicarbonate every 7-10 days; avoid overhead watering
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Remove infected leaves; apply copper fungicide or chlorothalonil; improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage
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Increase humidity and water misting; spray with insecticidal soap; release predatory mites; neem oil applications
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; vacuum adults with handheld device; encourage parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick eggs and nymphs; use netting to trap and eliminate; plant trap crops; apply spinosad
Uses
Fresh Slicing and Salads
CulinaryPerkins Long Green cucumbers are excellent for fresh eating, with firm flesh and mild flavor ideal for slicing into salads, sandwiches, and fresh vegetable platters. Their length and straightness make them perfect for presentation. [source]
Pickling
CulinaryThis heirloom variety has traditionally been used for pickling, producing crisp, flavorful pickles. The thick skin and firm flesh hold up well to the brining process. [source]
Skincare and Spa Uses
HouseholdCucumber slices have long been used in beauty routines for their hydrating and soothing properties. Perkins Long Green can be sliced and applied to eyes and face for a refreshing treatment. [source]
Hydration and Digestive Health
MedicinalCucumbers are over 95% water and contain beneficial compounds that support hydration and digestive function. Regular consumption supports overall wellness and can aid in gentle digestion. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe bright yellow flowers attract pollinators including bees, beneficial insects, and butterflies, making cucumber plants valuable for supporting garden ecosystems. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when cucumbers are 8-10 inches long and dark green, firm, and glossy. Pick every 2-3 days to maximize production—allowing over-mature fruit on the vine signals the plant to slow flowering. Use a knife or pruners to avoid damaging the vine. Morning harvest yields crispest results. Cucumbers can be eaten fresh, sliced for salads, or pickled while young.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Perkins Long Green is an heirloom variety that has been grown continuously since the 1870s, making it one of the most historically significant cucumber cultivars in American gardens.
- 🌱 Cucumbers are technically berries botanically, and they grow so quickly that you can nearly watch them develop—a mature fruit can grow 1-2 inches per day during peak season.
- 🌱 This variety was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson, who documented growing cucumbers extensively at Monticello, and continues to be celebrated by heirloom seed preservation organizations.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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