Boothby's Blonde Cucumber is a small heirloom variety with a remarkable story rooted in Maine agriculture. Grown for generations by the Boothby family of Livermore, this creamy yellow cucumber produces 3-5 inch fruits with small black spines and a distinctly sweet, juicy flavor that lacks the bitterness common in many cucumber varieties. Hardy from zones 3-11, it matures in just 60 days and delivers impressive yields despite its compact size. The plants reach about 8 inches tall but spread to 48 inches, making them surprisingly vigorous for their diminutive fruit.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-11
8in H x 48in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
This is a cucumber that tastes the way cucumbers should. The juicy flesh carries a delicate sweetness and pleasant crunch without the white cuke bitterness that often disappoints. The creamy yellow skin and small black spines give each fruit a distinctive appearance that catches the eye in the garden and on the plate. High yields combined with a 60-day harvest window means you'll be picking these little gems consistently throughout summer, and their compact 3-5 inch size makes them perfect for fresh eating straight from the vine.
Boothby's Blonde shines as a fresh-eating cucumber, eaten raw straight from the vine or sliced into salads where its crunch and sweetness are showcased without competition. The small 3-5 inch size makes these fruits ideal for serving whole on a crudités platter or preserving as whole pickles, where their delicate flavor and small stature allow for elegant presentation and even cooking throughout.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date in soil temperatures between 65-80°F. Transplant seedlings to the garden after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
Transplant seedlings to the garden after the last frost date has passed, spacing plants 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches wide. Harden off seedlings gradually before planting to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
Direct sow seeds 4 inches apart in warm soil once all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 65°F. Thin seedlings to the 24-inch spacing once they've established.
Pick fruits when they reach 3-5 inches in length and the skin has turned creamy yellow with small black spines visible. The harvest window is approximately 60 days from planting. Cucumbers are best eaten when firm and fresh, so harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Twist or cut fruit from the vine rather than yanking, which can damage the plant.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Boothby's Blonde arrived in American gardens through the Boothby family of Livermore, Maine, who grew this variety for generations before it entered the broader seed-saving community. This family stewardship transformed a regional favorite into a treasured heirloom that represents both agricultural heritage and the quiet persistence of home gardeners who save and share seeds. The variety survived by virtue of families like the Booths who valued its flavor and productivity enough to keep it alive across decades, eventually making it available to contemporary gardeners seeking authentic, historically rooted vegetables.”