Most gardeners may already know how to grow cucumbers, as it is a popular favorite among amateur and advanced growers alike. Their popularity can likely be attributed to the fact that are easy to grow, but may also stem from the prolific nature of the plant itself. Cucumbers are excellent as a snack straight from the garden, chopped up in a summer salad, or as a refreshingly crispy addition to a cold drink.
While they may not store for extended periods on their own, they can be preserved by pickling and enjoyed all winter that way. Because of their high water content, cucumbers are very hydrating and have a cooling effect when applied to the skin - which makes them perfect for eye and facial treatments.
Growing cucumbers in GardenSoxx® | Plant Family: Cucurbitaceae
Different Varieties of Cucumber
With well over 100 different varieties of cucumber available, it may be tough to choose which to plant in your garden. Here are a few suggestions based on our own experiences:
Marketmore cucumbers are great for trellising if growing in a smaller space. They are fairly resistant to plant disease and grow to about 6"- 8" long, perfect for slicing into summer salads.
Extremely popular among growers of all calibers, the Kirby cucumber is an excellent choice for pickling because of their pleasant crunch and minimal amount of seeds.
The Lemon cucumber's unique size and shape make this a fun addition to the home garden. These cucumbers are small and round and are not green, but yellow like a lemon. They have a sweet taste and can be used for salads or for pickling.
Great for smaller gardens, Bush crop cucumbers are a small prolific plant that does not require any trellising. The cucumbers themselves are also small and make excellent pickles.
For a longer fruit similar to the store-bought English variety, Tasty Green cucumbers are a good option for home growers. They will need to be trellised and take around 65 days to mature when grown in full sun.
Straight Eight is a popular heirloom variety of cucumber that offers prolific, consistently-sized fruit that can be eaten fresh or pickled. They are a bit quicker to grow than some other varieties, offering a harvest in about 60 days from planting.
Nutritional Information For Cucumbers
Nutritional Facts - per 100/g
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 15 | - |
| Total Fat | 0.11 g | - |
| Sodium | 2 mg | - |
| Potassium | 147 mg | - |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | - |
| Sugar | 1.7 g | - |
| Protein | 0.65 g | - |
| Vitamin C | - | 3% |
| Iron | - | 2% |
| Calcium | - | 1% |
How to Grow Cucumbers in Your GardenSoxx®
Vining cucumber plants need trellising to grow and produce an abundant harvest (there is also a bush variety of cucumber that does not need trellis support to grow). As cucumbers need heat to grow, you can either plant seedlings well after final frost or sow outdoors once the soil has warmed to 70 F. Plant seeds at a 1-inch depth, 24 inches apart from one another.
Cucumbers Seed to Harvest Time: 50-70 days
How to Harvest Cucumbers
Do not wait until the cucumbers are too big - harvest when they are approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter. Cut them off the vine with a sharp knife to avoid damaging the plant. Plants should produce a harvest well into the fall season.
