Growing at the Speed of Life - A Year in the Life of My First Kitchen Garden

Cucumber

Height: 3 –1 0 "

(on trellis)

Width: 12 –1 5 "

Depth: 12 "

Annual
Wat e r : Moderate to heavy (watch leaves going yellow
to judge amount needed)
Sun : Full (3 hours minimum)
Companion Planting :
pro: Bush bean, cabbage family, lettuce, squash
con: Potatoes, herbs
Pests : Aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, mites
Diseases : Anthracnose, mildew
Soil: Sandy loam with good drainage
Fertilizer: Compost well; fish emulsion 1–2 times per
month; fertilize with plenty of phosphorus and potas­
sium, moderate nitrogen

pH: 6.5–7.5

Varieties : General Lee, Northern Pickling (small pick­

les), Armenian (greenhouse English style), Diamant (an

early gherkin)

Zones : 4–7

Planting : Seed ¾–1 inch deep outside when soil tem­

perature above 68ºF, 12 inches apart

Germinate: 5–7 days

Harvest: 55–65 days when uniformly green and

smaller size (5–6 inches); don’t allow to yellow

Rotation: Don’t follow other cucumber plants

Edible: Fruit

CUCUMBER • 137