Well, if you read my intro, I accidentally pulled two cucumber vines, not knowing what they were. But, in viewing some pictures I saw that some gardeners use those lattice walls to hold up the vines. Is that typcial? I only have those for the tomatoes which by the way are growing very slow. Also, I'm confused and wonder which are weeds and which are actually plants. I'm learning as I do this. AND I read that it wasn't too late to plant corn. I live in San Antonio, Tx and the weather here is unusual for this time of year... lots and lots of rain combined with high humidity.
Thanks for reading!
- rainbowgardener
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I don't know about typical, but the cucumber vines take up a lot of room if allowed to sprawl all over. Growing them vertically instead of horizontally is a lot more space efficient. Also the cucumber fruit can tend to rot out if sitting on the ground (especially for those of us in rainy/ high humidity areas); trellising them avoids that.
- jal_ut
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Here is a good point. Things can very considerably depending on where your garden is and the local conditions. Here in dry Utah, I just let the cukes sprawl on the ground, and have never seen one rot as you say.Growing them vertically instead of horizontally is a lot more space efficient. Also the cucumber fruit can tend to rot out if sitting on the ground (especially for those of us in rainy/ high humidity areas);
- rainbowgardener
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I thought I would give it a whirl with cukes up here in Western Washington, despite some people saying it's difficult to grow them here.
I know it can be done, I've seen it. but for whatever reason I can't seem to get them to grow much. That is, if they don't die. I sowed 4, they took off and were happy, I then planted them into the garden. Happy at first. Now I have 2 living, while one is barely hanging in there.
Any advice? Perhaps it's just been too wet this year to grow them?
I know it can be done, I've seen it. but for whatever reason I can't seem to get them to grow much. That is, if they don't die. I sowed 4, they took off and were happy, I then planted them into the garden. Happy at first. Now I have 2 living, while one is barely hanging in there.
Any advice? Perhaps it's just been too wet this year to grow them?
- engineeredgarden
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- rainbowgardener
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I don't grow cucumbers (partly because I don't like them... the only good thing to do with a cucumber is turn it into a pickle! JMO!!) I do try to grow zucchini, but always struggle with the vine borers. So I don't have a lot of expertise to share on this one.
But from what I read, cucumbers do seem to be kind of picky. They like it warm and sunny, but not super hot, temps in the mid-90's will stop fruiting. Along with the warm and sunny they like lots of water (how do you get that combination in nature!?) and inch or two a week. And they like loose slightly acid soil.
https://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s-5-16-1576,00.html
But from what I read, cucumbers do seem to be kind of picky. They like it warm and sunny, but not super hot, temps in the mid-90's will stop fruiting. Along with the warm and sunny they like lots of water (how do you get that combination in nature!?) and inch or two a week. And they like loose slightly acid soil.
https://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s-5-16-1576,00.html
- jal_ut
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My kids used to like to carve the big ones into boats. So now you have another use.I don't grow cucumbers (partly because I don't like them... the only good thing to do with a cucumber is turn it into a pickle! JMO!!)
It has been wet and cool here too. I just planted my cukes yesterday. I usually plant them on June 1. The soil was warm, so I am hoping they will germinate. It is cloudy again today and 40° F.
I plant cukes every year, even though I do not eat that many because they stay around too long, if you know what I mean. They do grow rather well...I have the warm and sunny, and plenty of water to add.
[img]https://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/lakngulf/G2010May/G2010038.jpg[/img]
My wife and I were having an "only stuff from the garden" dinner the other night, and decided to try the cukes. I sliced them, added salt and pepper, and let them sit in some white vinegar in the fridge for awhile. They were good!! This year we planted the burpless kind. We will see
The rest of the dinner: Green Beans, Squash and Onion, Okra and green tomato fried together.
[img]https://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/lakngulf/G2010May/G2010038.jpg[/img]
My wife and I were having an "only stuff from the garden" dinner the other night, and decided to try the cukes. I sliced them, added salt and pepper, and let them sit in some white vinegar in the fridge for awhile. They were good!! This year we planted the burpless kind. We will see
The rest of the dinner: Green Beans, Squash and Onion, Okra and green tomato fried together.
- applestar
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Do you like yogurt? Rahita -- I think it's called -- is an Indian side dish made with diced cukes, chopped mint, and salt mixed in plain yogurt and is very yummy. Yogurt should make it very digestible. Variations in recipe includes olive oil or sesame oil, hot red peppers or coarsely ground black peppers, but I think I like the simplest recipe the best.
- gixxerific
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