Double Yield Cucumber is a heritage pickling variety developed in 1924 by Joseph Harris & Company that lives up to its name by producing twice as many fruits as standard cucumber varieties. This early, prolific cultivar matures in just 50-59 days and grows as a vigorous vine reaching 36-48 inches tall, thriving in full sun across hardiness zones 2-12. The fruit is perfectly symmetrical with straight sides and blunt ends, best harvested at 4-5 inches when the skin is firm and uniformly green. Regular harvesting is key: keep picking to encourage the plant to flower and fruit continuously throughout the season.
18
Full Sun
Moderate
2-12
48in H x 72in W
—
High
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Bred over a century ago for serious pickle production, Double Yield earned its name by consistently outyielding competing varieties. The fruit's uniform shape and small, seed-free interior at harvest size make it exceptional for pickling, while the plant's rapid maturation and relentless productivity mean you'll have fresh cucumbers ready every few days at peak season. Gardeners who commit to consistent harvesting unlock the variety's true potential: a single plant that produces abundantly from midsummer through frost.
This variety excels as a pickling cucumber, harvested at 4-5 inches when seeds are still immature and the flesh remains crisp. The small, uniform fruit is ideal for dill pickles, fermented pickles, and bread-and-butter preserves. The firm, consistent texture holds up well to brining and long-term storage in jars. While technically a slicing type can reach up to 10 inches, Double Yield delivers peak quality when picked small, making it less suitable for fresh eating as a full-sized cucumber but outstanding for any preservation method that celebrates the crisp, tender young fruit.
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Start seeds indoors under protection up to three weeks before your last frost date, no earlier. Use a warm seedbed (65-80°F) and keep soil consistently moist until germination. The variety grows rapidly indoors, so avoid lengthy indoor cultivation.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Harden off for 3-5 days by gradually exposing plants to outdoor conditions. Space transplants 18 inches apart.
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after your last frost date once soil temperature reaches 65-80°F. You can succession plant every three weeks for continuous harvests throughout the season. Plant seeds at a depth of approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
Harvest Double Yield cucumbers when they reach 4-5 inches long, while the skin is still firm and uniformly green with no yellowing. The fruit should feel crisp to the touch; avoid waiting for larger size, as mature cucumber triggers the plant to stop flowering. Check plants every 2-3 days during peak season, as the variety fruits prolifically once established. Use a sharp knife or garden shears to cut fruit from the vine rather than pulling or twisting; this prevents damage to the delicate flowering stems. Remove any oversized or yellowing fruit immediately to signal the plant to continue setting new flowers. Consistent harvest is essential to unlock this variety's signature high yield.
As a vining cultivar, Double Yield benefits from trellising rather than traditional pruning. Train the main vine vertically onto sturdy support (trellis, fence, or stakes) to maximize space and improve fruit quality. Remove any very large, overmature cucumbers that develop; these signal the plant to slow fruiting, so continuous harvest of smaller fruit is critical to maintaining productivity. Avoid aggressive pruning of healthy foliage, as the vines need robust leaf coverage to support heavy fruit production.
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“Double Yield Cucumber emerged in 1924 from the research gardens of Joseph Harris & Company in Coldwater, New York, a seed house that focused on developing varieties suited to American home and market gardeners. The variety was created specifically to address the demands of the pickling trade and home canners who needed reliable, uniform fruit production. Its breeding reflected early 20th-century horticultural priorities: not flashy size or exotic flavor, but predictable yields and consistent fruit quality that could be harvested at the ideal stage for preservation.”