How many pounds is a half bushel of cucumbers?

How many pounds is a half bushel of cucumbers?

This information prepared by former Extension horticulturists S.C. Myers and Paul Colditz. Released by Darbie Granberry and Terry Kelley, Extension horticulturists. Reviewed by Tim Coolong, Extension coordinator, horticulture.

  • Common retail containers
  • Weights and approximate processed yields for fruits
  • Weights and approximate processed yields for vegetables
  • Volumes and conversions
  • Acknowledgments and selected resources

Retail or direct marketing at farmer's markets, roadside markets, stands and pick-your-own farms is an important and growing method of marketing fresh fruits and vegetables in Georgia. However, many of the containers used in the wholesale trade are not practical for direct marketing to consumers who desire fruits and vegetables in small quantities. The retail marketer has the option of selling his product in small volume containers or by count when scales are unavailable.

Containers available for retail marketing come in a wide range of sizes and materials. Some of the more common retail containers are presented in Table 1.

Common retail containers

Table 1.
Common NameMaterialCommon size(s)
Bags paper and polyethylene, often with handles 1/4 peck to 1/2 bushel
Kraft paper bags Grocery bag – 2/3 bushel
No. 20 bag – 8 quarts
No. 10 bag – 7 quarts
No. 8 bag – 4 quarts
No. 2 bag – 1 quart
Baskets wood 1/4, 1/2, and 1 peck; 1/2 and 1 bushel
Boxes, cartons, and hampers corrugated paper, often waved, or wood from 1/2 peck to 1 bushel
Fruit and Vegetable Baskets corrugated paper with handles 2 to 8 quarts
Clamshell containers
plastic 1/2 pint to 4 quarts
Trays corrugated paper 6 to 8 quarts (10 to 15 lb)

Under specific fruit and vegetable crops, retail containers are compared with the more common containers (bushels, lugs, etc.) that are used in the wholesale trade (Tables 2 and 3). In addition, weights and approximate yields for canning and freezing of fruits and vegetables in some of the common retail containers are presented for use in retail marketing. Because processed yields can vary so much based on size of produce and processing method, consider the indicated yields to be approximate values.

Weights and Approximate Processed Yields for Fruits

Table 2.
Product Retail Volume Net Weight (lb) Processed yield
Apples bushel (bu) 42 to 48 1 bushel = 15 to 18 quart canned applesauce
1/2 bushel bag 24 1 bushel = 30 to 36 quarts frozen applesauce
1 bushel = 10 to 12 quarts juice
peck 10 to 14 1 peck (32 med. apples) = 4 quart canned
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lb. fresh = 1 pint frozen
2 to 3 lb fresh = 1 quart canned
1 cup pared, sliced = 1/4 lb
Blackberries 6-quart tray 10 to 12 1 1/2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
gallon 5 to 6
quart 1 1/4 to 1 1/2
Blueberries 6-quart tray 9 to 12 2 1/4 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
1 pint fresh = 1 pint frozen
1 cup = 1/3 lb
1 cup = 1/3 lb
gallon 6 to 8
quart 1 1/2 to 2
pint 3/4 to 1
Cherries lug 15 to 16 2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned, unpitted
1 pint = 1 pint frozen, unpitted
1 cup = 1/3 lb
quart 1 1/2 to 1 3/4
pint 1 1/4 to 1 1/2
Grapes
(with stems)
bushel 44 to 50 1 bu = 16 quarts of juice
1 cup (whole, stemmed) = 1/3 lb
lug 24 to 28
2-quart basket 2 1/2 to 3
Peaches bushel 48 to 52 1 bu = 18 to 24 quarts canned
2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned
1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen
1 cup = 2/5 lb
1/2 bushel bag 24
lug 19 to 22
peck 12 to 14
Pears bushel 48 to 50 1 bu = 20 to 25 quarts canned
2 to 2 1/3 lb = 1 quart canned
1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen
1 cup pared, sliced = 2/5 lb
lug 21 to 24
peck 12 to 14
Plums bushel 50 to 56 1 bu = 24 to 30 quarts canned
2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned
1 cup halves = 1/3 lb
peck 13 to 15
Raspberries 6-quart tray 8 to 10 1 cup = 1/3 lb
3-quart tray 4
quart 1 1/4 to 1 1/2
pint 3/4
Strawberries 24-quart crate 36 1 lb = 1 pint frozen
8-quart basket 12 to 15
8-quart flat 12
6-quart basket 10 to 12
4-quart basket 6
quart 1 1/4 to 1 1/2

Weights and Approximate Processed Yields for Vegetables

Table 3.
Product Retail Volume Net Weight* (lb) Processed Yield Comments
Asparagus pyramid crate 32 1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen
3 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned
often sold in bunches weighing 1 1/2 to 2 lb each
bushel (bu) 24
Beans, Lima bushel 30 1 bu = 12 to 16 pints frozen
3 to 5 lb = 1 quart canned
 
Beans, Snap bushel 28 to 30 1 bu = 30 to 45 pints frozen
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned
1 bu = about 15-16 quarts canned
often sold in 1 bushel wirebound wooden crates
Beets bushel, topped 52 1 bu = 35 to 42 pints frozen
2 to 3 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned
often sold in 2-lb bunches with leaves
Broccoli wax boxes 23 to 25 1 bu = 10 to 12 quarts canned
1 lb = 1 pint frozen
commercially, most broccoli is top-iced in wax boxes
Brussels Sprouts carton, loose pack 25 1 quart = 1 1/2 pints frozen  
quart 1 1/2
Cabbage flat crate 53 to 60 3 lb = 1 quart canned sauerkraut
1 lb = 2 cups cooked
1 lb = 4 cups shredded
often sold by the head, varying in size with variety and tightness of head, usually 2 to 6 lb
carton 53
Carrots bushel, topped

50

1-, 5- or up to 48-lb bags

1 bu = 32 to 40 pints frozen
2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
often sold in bags of varying weights
Cauliflower carton of 9 to 16 heads, trimmed 18 to 24 2 med. heads = 3 pints frozen, or 1 1/2 quarts canned usually sold as 1- to 1 1/2-lb heads
Collards Sold in a bushel box as bunched leaves, or whole plants in boxes 18 to 20 3/4 – 1 lb = 1 pint markets desire bunches to weigh 4 lb
Corn, Sweet wirebound wood crates or 4-dozen-ear boxes

42 to 50 (crates)

24 to 32 (boxes)

60 ears = 14 to 17 pints frozen
1 dozen ears = 1 to 1 1/2 quarts canned
at markets, usually sold by the dozen which weighs 6 to 8 lb in-husk
Cucumbers bushel 48 to 50 1 bu = 24 quarts of dill pickles sometimes sold by count
Eggplants bushel 33 to 35   sometimes sold by count
Greens bushel 18 to 20 1 to 1 1/2 lb = 1 pint frozen mustard, spinach, and turnip often sold in 1- to 1 1/2-lb bunches or bags
Kale bushel 18 1 bu = 6 to 9 quarts canned, 12 to 18 pints frozen also sold in 1- to 1 1/2-lb bunches
Muskmelons box or bin 48   usually sold by count; vary widely in size by variety, 3 to 6 lb each
Okra tall bushel hamper 26 to 30 1 bu = 17 quarts canned
34 to 40 pints frozen
 
12-quart basket 15 to 18
Onions bag 40    
bunch, green – 48 bunches 15 to 18
Peas, English
green (unshelled)
bushel 28 to 30 1 bu = 12 to 15 pints frozen
3 to 6 lb = 1 quart canned
 
peck 7 to 8
Peas, Southern bushel hamper 25 3 1/2 to 4 = 1 quart  
Peas, Edible Pod peck 8 to 10    
quart 1 to 1 1/2
Peppers, Green Hot bushel box 28 2/3 lb = 1 pint frozen Often sold by count; large peppers, 80-85 per bu; small peppers, 110 per bu
cartons 16 to 25
Potatoes, Irish
(mature)
sack 100 1 bu = 20 quarts canned  
bushel 60
peck 15
Potatoes (new) No. 10 bag 10    
Pumpkins pie pumpkins each 5 to 15 3 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned sold by count or in large bin boxes
Jack o'lantern each 15 to 40
Radishes carton of 30 6-oz film bags 12   also sold in bunches of 1/2 to 3/4 lb
Rhubarb bunch 2 to 2 1/2 1 lb cooked = 3/4 cup  
Rutabaga bushel basket 56 1 lb = 2 2/3 cups diced usually sold by count
peck 15
Squash, Summer bushel 40 to 44 1 bu = 32 to 40 pints frozen
2 to 4 lb = 1 quart canned
zucchini, crookneck, pattypan, etc.
Squash, Winter small each 1 to 4 3 lb = 2 pints frozen
2 1/2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
usually sold by count and may be graded by size such as acorn, butternut, buttercup
intermediate each 6 to 12 Intermediate includes delicious, golden hubbard, banana
large each 15 to 40 Large includes varieties such as blue hubbard, jumbo banana
Sweet Potatoes box (cured) 40 2/3 lb = 1 pint frozen
2 to 3 lb = 1 quart canned
 
Tomatoes paperboard box 25 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 lb = 1 quart canned
1 bu = 15 to 20 quarts canned
 
place pack 18 to 20
Turnips without tops; mesh bag or bushel 50 to 56 1 lb = 2 2/3 cups diced 6 to 8 turnips per bunch; roots to be 2 to 3 in. in diameter
peck 12 to 15
turnips bunched with tops; sold by the dozen in paperboard box 18 dozen
Watermelons pallet bin     usually sold by count; 36, 45 and 60 are the most common bin counts
Note. Net weight per container may vary slightly due to variation in product size. Net weight should not be less than the lowest stated weight listed.

Volumes and Conversions

Bushel

4 pecks

8 gallons (dry)
32 quarts (dry)
64 pints (dry)
2,150 cubic inches

Peck 1/4 bushel
8 quarts (dry)
538 cubic inches
Lug shallow containers, usually wood, that come in any size
Gallon 4 quarts
231 cubic inches
Quart 32 fluid ounces
58 cubic inches
Kilo (or kilogram) 2.205 lb
Liter 1.057 quarts (liquid)

Acknowledgments and Selected References

The authors wish to acknowledge the following sources and references, certain tables from which were adapted for use in this publication.

  • Economic Research Service. (1979). Conversion factors and weights and measures for agricultural commodities and their products. U. S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Sabota, C. M., & Courter, J. W. (1979). Net weights and processed yields of fruits and vegetables in common retail units (Hort Facts HM-3-79). University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
  • Magoon, C. E. (1976). Container net weights. United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.

Status and Revision History
Published on Aug 01, 1999
Unpublished/Removed on Feb 24, 2009
Published on Mar 12, 2010
Published with Full Review on Jan 04, 2014
Published with Full Review on Aug 01, 2017
Published with Full Review on Sep 26, 2022

How many lbs is a bushel of cucumbers?

Cucumbers Bushel 48 - 50 lbs. Peck 12 - 13 lbs.

How many pounds of cucumbers are in a half bushel?

25lbs - Pickling Cucumbers HALF BUSHEL, PERFECT FOR CANNING!

How many cucumbers are in a half bushel?

Per Head (average) 1 to 1 ½ Corn (sweet, in husk) Bushel 70 Carton 50 Dozen 6 to 8 Ear ⅓ to ½ Cucumbers Bushel 48 to 50 Peck 12 to 13 Each ½ Eggplant Bushel 33 to 35 Each (average) 2 ¼ Garlic Head 1 to 2 oz. (16 oz. per lb.)

How many pounds is a half bushel?

A half-bushel is about 21 pounds of apples, while a bushel weighs about 45 pounds. There are about 28 apples in a peck or ¼ bushel. Pears are denser fruit: a peck weighs approximately 14 pounds, a half-bushel is about 28 pounds and a bushel about 56 pounds.