Addis Cucumber – Heirloom Pickling Seeds

Addis Cucumber – High-Yield Heirloom Pickling Cucumber with Disease Resistance

Addis Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a proven heirloom pickling variety developed by R.L. Lower of North Carolina State University and released in 1976. Widely adapted across North America, Addis produces high yields of dark green, straight fruits with white spines, typically 5–7" long — perfect for pickling or fresh eating. Resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthracnose, and angular leaf spot, this is one of the most disease-resistant heirloom cucumbers available. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom.

Why Grow Addis Cucumber?

• Exceptional disease resistance — powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthracnose, and angular leaf spot
• High-yielding — widely adapted across all of North America
• Dual purpose — excellent for pickling and fresh eating
• Deer resistant — hairy leaves and prickly spines deter most deer
• Versatile growing — fields, raised beds, containers (with support), and greenhouses
• University-bred — developed at NC State, released 1976

Growth Habits

• Days to Maturity: 55–65 days
• Days to Germination: 6–10 days
• Fruit Size: 5–7" long, dark green, straight, white spine
• Plant Height: 18–30"
• Plant Width/Spread: 24–36"
• Growth Habit: Compact vine — can sprawl or grow vertically on trellis
• Pollination: Monoecious — produces both male and female flowers; requires insect or hand pollination
• Cucumber Type: Pickling — shorter, thinner, bumpy skin; great fresh or pickled

Starting & Growing Tips

• Direct sow preferred — sow 1–2 weeks after last frost date
• Can start indoors 3–4 weeks before transplanting if needed
• Sow 1" deep, 12–18" apart, rows 48" apart
• Germination temperature: 75–85°F
• Grow in rich, well-draining soil with pH 6–6.8 in full sun
• Temperature preference: 64–86°F — does not tolerate frost or temps below 50°F
• Water consistently — cucumbers are mostly water and need steady moisture for abundant yields
• Support vertically with a trellis to promote airflow and healthy growth
• Cover young plants with floating row cover to protect from cucumber beetles until flowers form
• Hand-pollinate to increase fruit set if insect activity is low

Harvesting

Harvest fruits when 5–7" long. Cucumbers produce more prolifically when harvested frequently while young — allowing fruits to over-mature reduces overall yields. Use harvesting or pruning shears to remove fruits; avoid pulling from the vine to prevent plant damage.

Culinary Uses

Addis is a classic pickling cucumber with sweet, crisp flesh. Use for dill pickles, bread-and-butter pickles, relish, and fermented pickles. Also excellent sliced fresh in salads, with dips, or as a snack straight from the garden.

• Dill & bread-and-butter pickles
• Relish & fermented pickles
• Fresh sliced in salads & sandwiches
• Garden snacking

Planting Information

• Seeding Depth: 1"
• Plant Spacing: 18–24" (trellis) or 24–36" (sprawl)
• Row Spacing: 48"
• Square Foot Spacing: 1 plant per sq ft (trellis required)
• Soil Preference: Rich, well-draining; pH 6–6.8
• Temperature Preference: 64–86°F
• Light Preference: Full sun
• Pests/Diseases: Resistant to powdery mildew, downy mildew, anthracnose, angular leaf spot. Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, spider mites, squash vine borers, snails. Practice crop rotation.
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Seed Details

• Latin Name: Cucumis sativus
• Bred by: R.L. Lower, NC State University, released 1976
• Hardiness Zones: 2–12 (Annual)
• Seed Origin: USA
• Non-GMO | Open-Pollinated | Heirloom