Author: Lorraine Wade

A pickling variety of cucumber produces the best quality pickles. Do not use waxed cucumbers. The wax prevents the cucumber from absorbing the brine. Always remove 1/16 inch slice from the blossom end of vegetables, even though the blossom isn’t there the blossom ends have enzymes that can cause softening. How do you get the […]

Plant cucumbers in a sunny spot in soil rich in organic matter and well-drained. Raised beds or mounds are ideal for growing cucumbers; the soil will warm early in the season and stay warm. Work several inches of aged compost and aged manure into the planting beds ahead of sowing or transplanting. How do I […]

However, cucumbers are generally ripe and ready for harvest anywhere from 50 to 70 days after planting. A cucumber is normally considered ripe when it is bright medium to dark green and firm. You should avoid cucumber harvesting when cucumbers are yellow, puffy, have sunken areas, or wrinkled tips. Why are my cucumbers light colored? […]

Purchase new hybrid varieties of cucumber seeds. These seeds are often labeled as “burpless.” These hybrids tend to be much less bitter. Use the Asian varieties of the burpless hybrid seeds instead of American types if available. Asian cucumbers are significantly less “burpy” than any type of American cucumbers. Why do I burp when I […]

8 inches. Types of Cucumbers The slicing types are long and usually grow to about 6 or 8 inches (15-20 cm.) in length while the pickling types are shorter, reaching around 3 to 4 inches (8-10 cm.) once mature. There are now many bush or compact varieties of cucumbers available that are ideal for growing […]

A slender Asian burpless variety with delicate skin and sweet flavor. Vigorous plants produce long, slim fruits with higher yields and smoother skin than the heirloom Suyo Long. Which cucumbers are Burpless? One of the most common cucumber types is the English or European cucumber. These cukes are almost seedless, thin skinned without spines and […]

Cucumbers have been cultivated to make smaller and thinner varieties that are perfect for pickling. These pickling cucumbers are known as baby cucumbers. You can get them even smaller again in the form of gherkins or cornichons. These are called baby pickles. Are baby pickles just small cucumbers? A gherkin is a pickled baby cucumber. […]

Some fruits and vegetables, especially those grown in warm climates, produce a natural waxy coating on the surface to prevent too much moisture from being lost. When the crops are harvested and thoroughly cleaned before packaging and shipping, this natural wax is removed. How do you get the waxy coating off cucumbers? Dear Shoiji: To […]

Look for firm, deeply colored cucumbers without soft spots, shriveling or discoloration. Avoid cucumbers with yellowing skins. A cucumber’s ends are the first areas to deteriorate, so check to make sure they’re not soft or flabby. Store your cucumbers, unwashed, in the refrigerator. What’s the difference between an organic cucumber and a normal cucumber? In […]

Fresh cucumbers can last about two weeks if stored properly. They can be very specific about storage temperature, lasting longest when stored at 55 degrees F. (13 C.). When storage temperatures are below 40 degrees F. How do you store cucumbers for a long time? Wrap individual whole cucumbers in a paper towel to soak […]

If the cucumbers have a lot of spines, remove them by rubbing a cloth or a soft vegetable brush along the length of the fruit. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the cucumber of the vine. Be sure to leave a small, one-inch section of stem attached to the cucumber. Do the spikes […]

Store cucumber seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place in an airtight container to keep out moisture and humidity. When stored under these conditions, cucumber seeds will remain viable for 5 years. How do I dry and save seeds for next year? Store seeds in tightly sealed glass containers. You can store different kinds […]

You can keep cucumbers in the refrigerator for about a week, but the flavor is best soon after you pick them. Pickling cucumbersPickling cucumbersGherkins, or baby pickles, are small cucumbers, typically those 1 to 5 inches (3 to 13 cm) in length, often with bumpy skin, which are typically used for pickling. The word gherkin […]

Cut out the entire seed cavity and chop or shred up the rest. This can be used for making cucumber-yogurt soup, Green gazpacho or tzatziki sauce. What is this? One of our favorite ways to use up these monster-sized cucumbers is in a basic vinegar and sugar cucumber salad. What can I do with cucumbers […]

Managing cucumber beetles is the most effective way to prevent bacterial wilt. Excluding cucumber beetles is very effective. In the field, floating row covers can be placed as seedlings emerge and plants start to grow, just make sure to remove them as flowers appear to allow pollination. What causes bacterial wilt in cucumbers? Causes of […]

Powdery mildew appears as white powder spots on cucumber plant leaves. Some people describe its appearance as white mold. Spots may develop on the leaf surface, stems, and even flowers and fruits of plants. These spots gradually expand over a wide area of the leaves and branches. What are the first signs of powdery mildew? […]