How to Grow Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58
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Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58
Cucumis sativus
vegetableSweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58 is a pickling cucumber variety bred specifically for commercial pickle production, known for its uniform size, firm texture, and excellent pickling quality. This open-pollinated heirloom variety produces dark green, bumpy fruits ideal for dill pickles and sweet pickles. It's a prolific producer with reliable, consistent yields that has been a favorite among gardeners and commercial growers since its development.
When should you plant Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58 in your zone?
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Example Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58 timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58
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 Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58
Around Jun 6≈ 50 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58 dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; best production in zones 5-8
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Get my Sweet Pickle Wisconsin SMR 58 timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
7-10 daysCotyledons emerge, true leaves develop. Plant has 2-4 leaves, delicate and upright.
Maintain consistent soil moisture. Provide 14-16 hours of light daily if indoors. Keep soil warm (70-75°F). Begin fertilizing at true leaf stage with balanced fertilizer.
Vegetative Growth
15-25 daysVining growth with multiple leaves developing. Plant produces runners and tendrils. Flower buds begin forming.
Ensure robust support structure. Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced or slightly nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Watch for pest activity.
Flowering
10-15 daysYellow flowers appear on main vine and lateral branches. Both male and female flowers develop; female flowers have tiny fruit behind bloom.
Maintain consistent watering as flowers are water-sensitive. Ensure adequate pollinator access. Continue fertilizing, focusing on potassium to support fruiting. Monitor for powdery mildew.
Fruiting
20-35 daysSmall green fruits develop rapidly, growing 4-6 inches long. Fruits are firm, dark green with bumpy skin. Multiple fruits mature simultaneously.
Begin regular harvesting to encourage continued production. Maintain consistent water supply (critical stage). Apply potassium-rich fertilizer weekly. Check undersides of vines for developing fruit.
Harvest
30-60 days (until frost)Fruits reach optimal pickling size (4-6 inches, firm, dark green). Production may slow in extreme heat.
Harvest every 1-2 days to maximize yield and encourage more flowers. Pick before fruits yellow or grow too large. Continue watering and fertilizing to maintain production through season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Row covers until flowering, yellow sticky traps, neem oil, hand-pick, plant resistant varieties, beneficial insects
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Regular misting to increase humidity, neem oil, insecticidal soap, remove heavily infested leaves
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, sulfur dust, neem oil, resistant varieties
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Wrap base of plant with foil, inject Bt, hand-pick larvae, succession plant, destroy infested vines
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Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, beneficial insects, reflective mulches
Uses
Pickling & Preserving
CulinaryWisconsin SMR 58 is specifically bred for pickling, with firm flesh that maintains crispness through the curing process. Perfect for dill pickles, sweet pickles, bread and butter pickles, and other preserved cucumber recipes. [source]
Fresh Salads & Slicing
CulinaryWhen harvested at optimal size, these cucumbers are excellent for fresh eating, salads, and slicing. Their firm texture and mild flavor make them versatile in the kitchen. [source]
Home Canning
HouseholdThe uniform size and reliable yield make Wisconsin SMR 58 ideal for home preservation projects, allowing for consistent canning batches with minimal waste. [source]
Commercial Pickle Production
CulinaryDeveloped as an open-pollinated heirloom for commercial pickling operations, this variety's consistency and productivity make it excellent for anyone with larger preservation goals. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe abundant yellow flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinators, supporting pollinator populations while simultaneously improving fruit production through better pollination. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest fruits when 4-6 inches long, firm, and dark green—before they yellow or grow too large (size consistency is important for pickling). Pick every 1-2 days to encourage continuous flowering and production. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to avoid damaging vines. Early morning harvest yields crispest results. Most productive during cooler parts of season (spring and fall); may slow during extreme summer heat. Fruit quality remains excellent throughout season when harvested at optimal size.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wisconsin SMR 58 was developed by the University of Wisconsin specifically for pickling, with 'SMR' standing for 'Short Medium Resistant,' referring to its resistance to certain cucumber diseases.
- 🌱 This variety is an open-pollinated heirloom, meaning seeds can be saved from mature fruit for replanting—a rare characteristic that gives gardeners long-term independence from buying new seeds annually.
- 🌱 The bumpy texture on the fruit (called 'warty' skin) isn't a disease—it's a desirable trait that increases surface area for brine absorption and creates the characteristic textured appearance of classic dill pickles.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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