Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Cucumbers ( Cucumis sativus )
A favorite at our house, cucumbers are grown for eating fresh from the garden as well as for can-
ning and pickling. Cucumbers are high in vitamin C and have a high water content, making them
a classically refreshing treat from the garden. Think outside the traditional pickling cucumber
when you choose varieties for the garden and look at cucumbers such as Asian cucumbers, which
are beetle resistant.
Traditional gardening articles suggest growing cucumbers on hills and letting the vines ramble, but
many gardeners find better success trellising cucumbers. Sow seeds directly in the garden after the
other squash and melon seeds have already sprouted, when the soil is nearly 70°F. Plant seeds 1 2
inch deep and space them about 2 feet apart when growing up a trellis.
Begin harvesting cucumbers when they are large enough and don't let them reach full maturity.
If the seeds inside one of the cucumbers fully mature, the plant will stop producing new fruit.
However, if you harvest cucumbers from the vines on a daily basis, you'll get the most from each
plant.
thOrny MatterS
Stem rot and mosaic virus can be a problem if your cucumber vines are planted too early in the damp
spring or if the vines are overcrowded. Growing up a trellis and allowing enough airflow around the plants
can help prevent this. Cucumber beetles are often the biggest pest problem for cucumbers in the garden.
Parasitic nematodes in the soil can help control the larvae and break the feeding cycle.
Lemon Cuke. A very unusual variety that grows round and yellow, resembling a lemon. Lemon
Cuke has a mild flavor.
Marketmore. Matures in about 70 days; this cucumber has excellent yields and flavor. Dark green
skin and 9-inch-long cucumbers. I like to harvest them around 7 to 8 inches.
Satsuki Midori. This Asian cucumber will tolerate part shade and produces long slender fruit up
to 16 inches long. Nonbitter with thin skin, it's perfect for slicing.
Straight-Eight. Grows to about 8 inches long, as the name implies. This All-American Selection
winner has been popular since its introduction in 1935. Great for slicing and resistant to the mosaic
virus.
Ta st y Jade. Another great Asian cucumber variety, Tasty Jade grows 10 to 11 inches long on huge
vines grown best on a trellis. Harvest the tender fruit only 55 days after planting.
W hite Wonder. An early maturing cucumber that will be harvestable in about 60 days. An albino-
white cucumber, the White Wonder grows to about 6 inches long and has a wide, oblong shape.
White Wonder has also been called Ivory King, Jack Frost, and Albino.
 
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