{"product_id":"bushy-cucumber","title":"Bushy Cucumber – Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBushy Cucumber – Russian Heirloom, Cool-Tolerant \u0026amp; 2 Weeks Earlier Than the Rest\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBushy Cucumber (\u003cem\u003eCucumis sativus\u003c\/em\u003e) is a remarkable Russian heirloom that sets itself apart with exceptional earliness — ready in just \u003cstrong\u003e48 days\u003c\/strong\u003e and typically producing \u003cstrong\u003e2 weeks earlier\u003c\/strong\u003e than other cucumber varieties. The secret? Bushy doesn’t mind cool nights, making it a standout performer in short-season gardens and cool spring climates. Compact plants with green fruits and black spines deliver heavy yields of mild, slightly sweet cucumbers perfect for both slicing and pickling. Non-GMO, open-pollinated, heirloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Grow Bushy Cucumber?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExceptionally early\u003c\/strong\u003e — 48 days, typically 2 weeks ahead of other varieties\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCool-weather tolerant\u003c\/strong\u003e — thrives in cool spring nights where others struggle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual purpose\u003c\/strong\u003e — excellent for both fresh slicing and pickling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact habit\u003c\/strong\u003e — 24–36\" spread, great for raised beds and containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery productive\u003c\/strong\u003e — heavy yields from a small footprint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer resistant\u003c\/strong\u003e — hairy leaves and black spines deter most deer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Habits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–10 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green with black spines, mild and slightly sweet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18–24\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Width\/Spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–36\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compact — can sprawl or grow with trellis support\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monoecious — both male and female flowers; requires insect or hand pollination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Tolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool spring and night temperatures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStarting \u0026amp; Growing Tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirect sow preferred\u003c\/strong\u003e — sow 1–2 weeks after last frost date\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan start indoors \u003cstrong\u003e3–4 weeks before transplanting\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSow \u003cstrong\u003e1\" deep\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e12–18\" apart\u003c\/strong\u003e, rows \u003cstrong\u003e48\" apart\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGermination temperature: \u003cstrong\u003e75–85°F\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrow in rich, well-draining soil with pH \u003cstrong\u003e6–6.8\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature preference: \u003cstrong\u003e64–86°F\u003c\/strong\u003e — tolerates cool nights better than most cucumbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater consistently — cucumbers are mostly water and need steady moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrellis support optional but promotes airflow and healthier plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-pollinate to increase fruit set if insect activity is low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvesting\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest frequently while fruits are young to keep plants producing prolifically. Allowing fruits to over-mature reduces overall yields. Use pruning shears to remove fruits; avoid pulling from the vine to prevent plant damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCulinary Uses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBushy is a true all-purpose cucumber — mild and slightly sweet, excellent fresh in salads or pickled. Its bumpy skin and compact size make it ideal for pickling, while the crisp flesh is equally enjoyable sliced fresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh sliced in salads \u0026amp; sandwiches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDill pickles \u0026amp; quick pickles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelish \u0026amp; fermented pickles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGarden snacking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeeding Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18–24\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSquare Foot Spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 plant per sq ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, well-draining; pH 6–6.8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 64–86°F; tolerates cool nights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–10 (Annual)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePests\/Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, spider mites, squash vine borers, snails, cutworms, powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic virus. Practice crop rotation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSeed Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCucumis sativus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Russia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–10 (Annual)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e USA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNon-GMO | Open-Pollinated | Heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"1 g \/ ~30+ Seeds","offer_id":42408017199238,"sku":"OD-TLM\/B1-30-83-1020-25","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7610611986_ie62.jpg?v=1770129026","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/bushy-cucumber","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}