CUCUMBERS
by Linda C Butler
Regular cucumbers often have large seeds and become bitter as they mature but there are many new varieties of cukes that are worth trying. The old pickling standby, National Pickling cukes are approx 60 days to maturity.
Stokes offers Cool Breeze Hybrid which is 45 days to maturity. No pollen is needed and the plants will produce in cool weather. Can be pickled or eaten fresh. Plants can be grown on the ground or caged or trellised.
Alibi is a 4 inch cucumber that can be harvested for gherkins. 52-55 days to maturity but can be harvested earlier. It is a space-saver plant that can be grown on trellises.
Cucumbers need to be well-watered. Cucumbers are great for pickling and you may want to plant dill so it will be ripe at the same time as the cukes.