Growing Cucumbers
A Few Easy Tips For Growing Cucumbers
If you're looking for a plant that's easy to grow, has several interesting varieties to choose from, and can be served in a variety of ways, try growing cucumbers. In addition, there are different ways cucumbers can be planted, depending upon the size or shape of your garden.
The varieties of cucumber generally available fall within three main categories. Slicing cucumbers, which are smoothed skinned and average 8 or 9 inches in length are one major type. A second is the pickling cucumber, usually 6 inches or less in length, and characterized by a rough or bumpy skin. The third type is really a mix of so-called "exotic varieties". The most commonly seen of these is the Lemon Cucumber which, as the name implies, has a yellowish skin, and is about the size of a tennis ball. A cucumber nevertheless. Two other exotic varieties are the Oriental Cucumber, which may grow to over a foot in length and is very thin skinned, and the Armenian Cucumber, which has similar characteristics.
You can plant cucumbers in rows, in hills, and for certain varieties having a reduced growing habit, in containers. The latter is ideal for a very small garden, or a patio garden. If you wish to plant in rows or hills but feel you still have a space problem, cucumbers can be trained to grow along a fence, or on a trellis. In fact, growing cucumbers on a trellis, particularly slicing cucumbers, will give you longer plants. Also, when the plant is grown on fences or trellises you will have improved air circulation, and consequently fewer problems caused by pests or disease. In all cases, seeds are planted 2 to 3 inches apart.
You can also get cucumber plants from seedlings, and set them out as soon as the weather permits. This may be your best choice for container planting, or if you just plan on having a few plants. Cucumbers are a warm weather crop, and grow rapidly. They need to be given adequate water, especially during hot periods. Once blooms have developed, the plants will benefit from a periodic side dressing of fertilizer. You need to be careful not to over-fertilize however, as this can result in an abundance of leaves and vines, with fewer and lower quality fruits.
Pests or diseases you may encounter depend somewhat on where you live. Your local nursery can probably tell you what, if anything, is prevalent in your area, and the best ways to deal with it. Cucumber beetles are common in some areas, also aphids, white flies and wire worms can be a nuisance. One way to reduce the chances of having a problem with pests or disease is to keep the plants well weeded. Here again, growing the cucumber on a trellis can be helpful. Some gardeners set out marigold, nasturtium, or radish plants next to their cucumbers, as these companion plants seem to help in keeping bugs away. If you have humid or rainy weather during warm periods, or periods of morning dew during hot weather, fungus or blight could become a problem.
Cucumbers are a sturdy plant however, and as harvested, tend to continue to produce fruits. The plant is not frost tolerant, and the first frost generally signals the end of the growing season. Now it's time to stop growing cucumbers and start making pickles.
For the most part though, cucumbers should not give you many problems. Since they grow so rapidly they are fun to have in the garden and when harvested, lend themselves slices on a vegetable platter, salads, or pickled.