Bushy Cucumber is an heirloom variety that produces excellent yields of crisp cucumbers averaging 4 to 6 inches long at peak maturity. Originating from Russia, the Bushy Cucumber is renowned for its ability to produce cucumbers under cool conditions, allowing it to set fruit faster than most cucumber varieties. Around here, it matures one to two weeks earlier than our other picklers. Its well-formed, blocky cucumbers have a crisp texture making them perfect for pickling or for use in cucumber salads. Once a popular sight among the dacha gardens that dotted the Russian countryside, the Bushy Cucumber eventually made its way to the United States in 1992 thanks to the Seed Savers Exchange which in the early 1990s set upon a quest to preserve the threatened heirloom varieties of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Today, the Bushy Cucumber remains popular among US gardeners, particularly those in northern and high-altitude climates which likewise experience cool growing conditions. Of special note regarding Bushy Cucumbers is that their vines are reported to stay short, with many sources claiming that they will only reach 5 feet. We, however, have observed them growing longer (surpassing 7 feet in one instance) when they are not pruned to encourage their branching habit. Container gardeners and others with limited garden space should take note of this and plan accordingly. Pruning the growing tips when vines approach the boundaries of their allotted space will encourage branching, leading to a denser canopy and improved fruit quality (due to shading). Bushy cucumber matures approximately 45-50 days after sowing. Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.
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