116 | May 2019
hen it comes to nearly instant gratification, cucumbers have
many other garden vegetables beat. In the short span of six to eight
weeks the plants go from seed to prolific flowering and fruit.
“It’s a satisfying crop, especially for impatient gardeners,” says
Shannon McCabe, horticulturist at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
Standard cukes always deliver, but it’s worth growing less common
varieties for novelty shapes and subtle flavor variations: the trendy cucamelon, yes, but
also the tart kiwano or the pickling-ready Parisian gherkin. Some have more compact
habits, but all produce refreshing fruit at summer’s peak—just when you need it.wPlant cucumbers in a large pot with
an obelisk or tomato cage to give them their
own space in an edible garden or to add
greenery on a patio. Branches trimmed from
a smoke bush lashed together with twine
form a tower ideal for vining types like the
Boston pickling cucumber. To help vines climb,
weave wayward stems through the structure.Although
cucumbers will grow in
large containers,
they’re typically more
prolific in the ground.
A grid of cedar 1×2 lath
provides plenty of
support for a lemon
cucumber, shown.
Large rambling types
of cucumbers like this
one should be at least
1 foot apart
to promote air
circulation and to
prevent disease.Cucamelons have
smaller leaves than
other varieties, but the
foliage is especially
lush. “The plants cover
a trellis better than any
cucumber I’ve seen,”
McCabe says. Three
plants covered the
willow grid above. In a
large container (this
one is 14×28 inches),
there may be room for
companion plants,
such as lettuce, basil,
and petunias.GROUND RULES
HOW
TO GROW
1
SOW
Choose a spot that
gets eight hours of
sunlight and sow seeds
once soil temperatures
reach 70°F. Start
three seeds per spot,
then then thin weaker
seedlings. (Nursery
starts work, too,
but the unusual varieties
are hard to find.)
2
WATER
GENEROUSLY
Cucumbers
require regular, deep
watering.
3
PREVENT MILDEW
Full sun and good
air circulation will help
prevent downy and
powdery mildew.
Drip irrigation also
helps by avoiding water
splashing on leaves.
4
MONITOR FOR
PESTS
Spotted and striped
cucumber beetles
are a threat to young
plants. Mulch around
plants to discourage
egg-laying and
pick off any bugs
on plants. Alternatively,
place floating row
covers (lightweight
garden fabric) over
seedlings to keep
bugs off; remove when
flowering begins.
5
HARVEST OFTEN
Once plants get
going, picking fruit at
least every other day
will encourage vines to
produce more.