Cucumber

Basic Information

Seed Number

98

Seed Name

Cucumber

Variety

Beit Alpha

Category

Vegetable

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Beit Alpha slicing cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 7

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June, July

Indoor Start

Apr 7 – Apr 14

Direct Sow

May 15 – Jul 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

4 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

5–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

50–65 days

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70-90°F

Planting Depth

1/2 in

Plant Spacing

12-18 in

Row Spacing

5-6 ft

Thin-To Spacing

12-18 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

About 1 in/week; maintain consistently moist soil during flowering and fruiting

Soil Preference

Fertile, loose, well-drained soil enriched with compost or aged manure

Minimum Container Size

5 gal with trellis

Plant Height

Vining

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

Yes

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow or start indoors 2–3 weeks early
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jul 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 50–75 days
Container Friendly: Yes, 5+ gal with trellis
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Culinary
Succession / Reusable Notes: Succession sow every 2–3 weeks through mid-July.
Zone 6B Notes: Warm soil improves germination. Trellis to save space.
Companion Plants: Dill, beans, peas, corn, radish, nasturtium, marigold, calendula, sunflower
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes, aromatic herbs crowded at roots
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 3-4 weeks before warm-weather planting or direct sow after frost when soil is warm. Successive plantings through mid-July can extend harvest.
Germination: Warm soil encourages fast emergence. If transplanting, minimize root disturbance.
Harvest: Harvest frequently at approximately 5-8 inches while fruits are thin-skinned, crisp and tender. Frequent picking encourages continued production.
Seed Saving: Beit Alpha is Cucumis sativus and crosses readily with other cucumber varieties. Isolate or hand-pollinate for true-to-type seed.
Special Care: Trellising improves airflow, keeps fruit clean and allows closer spacing than ground culture.
Research Source: Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds — https://www.rareseeds.com/cucumber-beit-alpha — 5-14 day germination, 50-65 day maturity, 70-90°F soil temperature, depth, spacing and harvest size
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/cucumbers/katrina-f1-cucumber-seed-47.html — Beit Alpha cucumber spacing, root-zone temperature and transplant handling
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]