Plant: Cukes & Pickles

Garden Prep Pointers: 

*Select a full sun location where these plants have NOT been planted within the past 24months: Cucumbers, zucchini, squash, any type of melon.

*Till soil thoroughly, mix in 15-15-15, or organic fertilizer (amount specified on package).

Planting Season: 

*Seeds: Sow Seeds in ground 12-18” apart, plant on mounds or hills if desired.

*Transplants: Plant outside May 15^th – July 1^st (May 15^th is best)

Plant Selection Tips: 

            *Compact plants, free of holes, yellow coloring, and flowers are best. 

*Choose plants with ‘peat pots’ bio-degradable pots that can be planted with root system.

*Choose cukes for larger fruit, choose pickles for smaller seeded sweeter fruit.

Planting Guide:

*Plant 12-18” apart in row, plant rows about 4’ apart.

*Planting on a hill (mound) is optional

*Planting through black plastic sheet helps warm soil and prevent weeds    without additional labor or chemicals

Planting Notes: 

*Plant top of root system even with soil surface.

Upkeep:

*After planting, avoid fertilizing again until fruit set.  Upon fruit set begin fertilizing with liquid fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks until end of season.

*Water daily, plastic mulch helps retain moisture in soil if one day is missed, however vines laying on hot black plastic loose more water than usual.

Fruiting Habits:

            *Plants usually fruit 4-6 weeks after planting. 

            *On average, one plant will produce a cucumber every 2-3 days for about 2-3 weeks.

Growers Favorite Varieties:

            *Cuke: Greensleeves

            *Pickle: Lucky Strike

Grower Notes:

*When planting on plastic, place soaker hose under plastic, OR puncture holes in coffee can or similar container, set into ground next to plant and fill can to water plant.

*Pollination is very important, if you’re having fruiting problems, it could be a lack of bees.

*Keeping a good control of cucumber beetles and other destructive bugs helps prevent the spread of diseases cucurbit type plants are very susceptible too.

Fruits of Knowledge: 

*Fruiting stresses plants, the additional bit of fertilizer helps extend the life of the plant and increase yield

*Plants such as zucchini, squash, pumpkins, melons, and cukes are all part of the cucurbit family.