Straight Eight, Heirloom Cucumber Seeds

Straight Eight, Heirloom Cucumber Seeds — The 1935 All-America Selections Winner That Has Never Been Replaced

Straight Eight (Cucumis sativus) is nearly a century-old American heirloom and one of the most dependable slicing cucumbers ever developed. Introduced by Ferry Morse in 1935 and awarded the All-America Selections Gold Medal that same year, Straight Eight produces uniformly straight, cylindrical 8-inch fruits with softer green skin, white spines, thick flesh, and a small seed cavity — sweet, crunchy, and perfect for slicing or pickling. So vigorous and productive that even two plants may be a bit much for the home garden. Recommended by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. 55–60 days.

A Century of Praise

From the 1937 MacFayden Seed Co. catalog: “Received the Gold Medal Award in the All American Trials, 1935… 8 inches in length, just what the Market wants; uniformly cylindrical… flesh is thick; seed cavity small; flavor excellent. The most outstanding cucumber developed to date.”

From the 1968 Buckerfield Seed Co. catalog: “We consider this one of the best varieties offered, having a good deep color and superior flavor.”

Why Grow Straight Eight?

• 1935 All-America Selections Gold Medal Winner — introduced by Ferry Morse; nearly 90 years of proven performance
• Uniformly straight 8-inch fruits — softer green skin, white spines, thick flesh, small seed cavity
• Dual-purpose — excellent for both fresh slicing and pickling
• Extremely vigorous and productive — so prolific you’ll be giving cucumbers to the neighbors
• University of Florida IFAS recommended — tested and proven resilient in backyard gardens
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

In the Kitchen

Slice into salads, layer on sandwiches, or eat straight off the vine. Classic slicing cucumbers are sweetest at 7–9 inches — harvest before they reach 12 inches to avoid starchy, grainy texture. Also excellent for pickling. Mix diced cucumber into plain yogurt with herbs for a quick tzatziki or raita. Great in gazpacho and cold summer soups.

Growing Notes

Start indoors 4–6 weeks before last frost, or direct sow 1–2 weeks after last frost. Sow 1 inch deep, 3–4 seeds per cell in loamy, sandy, well-draining soil (pH 6.0–6.5). Transplant 36–48 inches apart. Cucumbers perform best grown on 8-inch tall mounds with a trellis to minimize crowding and improve airflow. Shallow roots benefit from consistent watering and a top layer of mulch. Water regularly — cucumbers are mostly water. Harvest with scissors or a knife — do not twist or pull. Pick frequently to keep vines producing.

Watch for: Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids. Mildew and spotting may occur in poorly drained soil — ensure good drainage and practice crop rotation.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.