Starting **Pickler cucumbers** (or pickling cucumbers) involves a few key steps, whether you're growing them indoors, outdoors, or hydroponically. Here’s a breakdown: ### **1. Choosing the Right Seeds** Look for **pickling cucumber varieties**, such as: - National Pickling - Boston Pickling - Calypso - Parisian Gherkin ### **2. Choosing the Growing Method** You can grow pickling cucumbers: - **In soil** (direct sowing in the garden or containers) - **Hydroponically** (ideal if you’re growing in The Fledge basement) --- ## **Growing Pickler Cucumbers in Soil** ### **1. Start Seeds Indoors (Optional)** - Start seeds **3-4 weeks before the last frost** if transplanting. - Use biodegradable pots (cucumbers dislike transplanting). - Keep soil at **70-85°F** for germination. ### **2. Direct Sowing in the Garden** - Wait until the **soil is at least 65°F**. - Plant seeds **½ inch deep**, 12 inches apart. - If using trellises, space rows **36 inches apart**. - Keep soil moist but not soggy. ### **3. Provide Trellising (Optional)** - Cucumbers **grow best vertically** to avoid disease and maximize space. - Use a **sturdy trellis** (5-6 feet tall). ### **4. Watering & Feeding** - Water **deeply, 1-2 inches per week**. - Apply **organic mulch** to retain moisture. - Fertilize with **compost tea, fish emulsion, or a balanced fertilizer (5-10-10)**. --- ## **Growing Pickler Cucumbers Hydroponically (Best for Indoor Growth)** Since you’re considering **growing herbs in water in The Fledge basement**, hydroponics might be a great way to grow pickling cucumbers. ### **1. Choose a Hydroponic System** - **Kratky Method** (low-maintenance, no electricity) - **Deep Water Culture (DWC)** - **Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)** (for continuous flow systems) ### **2. Nutrient Solution & pH** - Use a **balanced hydroponic nutrient solution** (3-1-2 for vegetative growth, then 2-3-4 for fruiting). - Maintain **pH 5.8–6.2**. ### **3. Light Requirements** - Cucumbers need **12-14 hours of light per day**. - Use **LED grow lights** with a good full-spectrum range. ### **4. Pollination (If Growing Indoors)** - **Hand pollinate** using a small brush or electric toothbrush. - Some hydroponic varieties are **self-pollinating (parthenocarpic)**. --- ## **Harvesting** - Pick cucumbers **3-6 inches long** for pickling. - Frequent picking **encourages more fruit production**. Would you like help setting up a specific hydroponic system for The Fledge?