Cucumbers, What are you growing

[duajones]

Bark, I picked and ate the first one this morning after reading that they are best in the 4-5 inch range. First one was right at 5 inches and a second is already 4 1/2 inches so I will probably pick it tomorrow. It was very good, practically seedless with a mild flavor.Ate the first one just sliced with nothing added. Perfect for salads or dipping or just fresh eating. Looking forward to more.

[duajones]

here are number 16 and 17 on the pk, it looks bad but am hoping it has a second wind

[feldon30]

Straight Eight


Cucumber Beetle

Duane, your cucumber plants look great. Might pick of 1-2 off the bottom leaves. Are you hitting your cucumber plants with Daconil when you do the tomatoes?

[nctomatoman]

My pot of Divas went into the garden yesterday....we need some cukes to go with our lettuce and chard!

[Dunkel]

Salad Bush Hybrid high producer and small plant last year. It's a keeper!

[Adenn1]

Below is a picture of some of my Sweet Success cukes...in the front is one Cheyenne Bush pumpkin and one Nimba Zucchini.

[feldon30]

I've added pictures on the previous page of this thread.

[duajones]

I am using Daconil on my cukes as well, How was that straight 8 cuke?

[duajones]

Originally Posted by barkeater

Don't wait too long. Diva is best when picked small, and like most veggies, picking the first ones young stimulates the plant to produce more quickly.

That has certainly proved true as I have harvested 3 so far and now I have 5 or 6 that are coming quickly.

[duajones]

Pulled the Poona Kheera as it was looking real bad, and sowed straight 8 in its place. Lemon and Boothbys Blonde are loaded with flowers but dont see any fruit yet. Pulling a diva or two every 2 or 3 days now. 6 so far with at least 25 that I can see coming. I have really enjoyed eating fresh cucumbers. Dont know that I could ever buy one again.

[feldon30]

Tried any light pickling yet? Sugar, a pinch of salt, white or cider vinegar, water, and sesame seeds. I consider it a storage place for the cucumbers that improves them day-by-day.

I've got 4 Straight Eights growing. Already harvested one which was quite nice. Lemon and Poona Kheera are taking their sweet time.

[duajones]

Originally Posted by feldon30

Tried any light pickling yet? Sugar, a pinch of salt, white or cider vinegar, water, and sesame seeds. I consider it a storage place for the cucumbers that improves them day-by-day.

I would love to try that, could u be more specific with the ingredients? Are you peeling them first?

[feldon30]

Unfortunately I never got the exact amounts from my dad, but you can experiment. He did peel the cucumbers first.

[duajones]

Pulled 7 of them today and more are coming. Went to pick 4 and found 3 others hiding. Slow starter but its making up for it now.



along with my first tomatoes of the year.

[Mischka]

Originally Posted by duajones

I would love to try that, could u be more specific with the ingredients? Are you peeling them first?

I think I have the recipe Feldon is referring to. My aunt used to make them for summer get-togethers. I got the recipe from her a few years ago and they came out just as I remembered them.

In a glass or plastic (not metal) bowl:

1 cup cane sugar
1 cup of distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon NON-iodized salt.

Mix well.

Peel and thinly slice 6-7 good sized cucumbers.
Add to above, making sure all the slices are immersed in the liquid.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.

These do improve with age and will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. They make a great side dish for grilled meats...or you can eat them alone as a late-night snack, as I am prone to doing.