Cucumis National Pickling (USDA Organic) Cucumber, Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling', was developed by the National Pickle Packers Association in collaboration with the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. This is the pickling cuke that pickle growers asked for, and it is high yielding, has early fruit on vigorous, medium vines, and retains quality over a longer season than Northern Pickling. This National Pickling Cucumber has a dark green fruit with 5-6" black spines. It is small, thick and blunt ended when young. Ideal for making dill pickles, so a perfect variety for the home garden. Grow cucumbers in a series of small hills, spaced about 3 feet apart, and make sure your garden can accommodate the spreading once it begins to grow. Cucumbers are actually a climbing vine, so plant at the bottom of a trellis if you are short on space. It takes 54 days to mature. National Pickling has a bitter-free gene that ensures sweet cucumbers even under stressful conditions. Bitterless varieties also attract less insects. (Click Merchant link below for full description)