VegetableCucumber
County Fair Improved Cucumber
County Fair Improved is an F1 hybrid cucumber bred for reliability and disease resistance, producing abundant 6-to-8-inch blocky fruits in just 50 days. This parthenocarpic variety develops seedless cucumbers even without pollination, making it exceptional for both container gardening and field cultivation across zones 2-12. The dark green, bitter-free fruits mature quickly on vigorous vining plants, delivering consistent harvests from summer through fall.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-12
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
12
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-12
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
The parthenocarpic trait sets this hybrid apart, allowing it to set fruit without requiring pollinator activity and producing seedless cucumbers that are ideal for pickling. Beyond that genetic advantage, County Fair Improved carries triple disease resistance against Bacterial Wilt, Cucumber Mosaic Virus, and Powdery Mildew, making it significantly more resilient than open-pollinated varieties. The compact 6-to-8-inch fruit size and rapid 50-day maturation mean you're harvesting crisp cucumbers long before season's end.
Common Uses
County Fair Improved excels as a pickling cucumber, with the blocky, firm fruits and seedless character particularly suited to fermented and quick pickles where texture and brine absorption matter most. The parthenocarpic nature and prolific bearing also make it valuable for fresh slicing, canning, and any application where consistent, uniform fruit size simplifies processing.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last spring frost date in warm conditions (70-75°F soil temperature). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Seedlings will emerge in 7-10 days.
Transplant Outdoors
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Transplant after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F, spacing plants 12 inches apart in rows 48 inches apart. Plant at the same depth they grew in containers.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches 60°F or warmer. Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 6 inches apart, thinning to 12-inch spacing once seedlings develop their first true leaves.
Harvesting
Pick fruits when they reach 6-8 inches long and are dark green and firm to the touch, typically 50 days after planting. Harvest every 1-2 days once production begins to encourage continued flowering and fruiting. Cut fruits from the vine rather than pulling to avoid damaging the plant. Smaller fruits (5-6 inches) are ideal for pickling; slightly larger ones work better for fresh eating.
Pruning
Train vining plants onto stakes, cages, or trellises from early growth stages to maximize air circulation and reduce disease pressure. Pinch off side shoots if training to a single main stem, or allow controlled branching on sturdy support structures. Remove any diseased or damaged leaves promptly to maintain plant vigor.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucumis sativus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)HI (I)PR (I)CAN (W)