Cucumber Marketmore

Cucumbers, such as the Marketmore variety, are not just refreshing snacks; they're also excellent additions to salads and sandwiches. Growing your own cucumbers ensures access to fresh produce rich in hydration and essential nutrients like vitamins K and C.

Preparing for Growing:

1. Selecting a planting location: Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and good air circulation.
2. Soil preparation: Amend soil with compost or aged manure to improve fertility and drainage.
3. Purchasing or preparing containers/pots: If space is limited, cucumbers can thrive in containers with a minimum depth of 12 inches.

Starting from Seeds Indoors:

1. Seed preparation: No special preparation is required for cucumber seeds.
2. Choosing suitable pots/containers: Use biodegradable pots or seed trays filled with a seed-starting mix.
3. Sowing and caring for seeds indoors: Plant cucumber seeds ½ inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist. Provide warmth and ample light for optimal germination.
4. Transplanting to larger containers if necessary: If seedlings outgrow their containers, transplant them into larger pots to prevent root crowding.

Starting from Seeds Outdoors:

1. Soil preparation: Prepare a fine, loamy seedbed by removing weeds and rocks.
2. Selecting appropriate timing and method for outdoor sowing: Plant cucumber seeds directly into the garden after the last frost date, when soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F (15.5°C).
3. Caring for seeds outdoors: Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate, which typically takes 7-10 days.

Growing in Containers/Pots:

1. Selecting suitable plants for containers: Choose compact cucumber varieties suitable for container growing, such as bush or dwarf types.
2. Container and soil preparation: Ensure containers have drainage holes and fill them with a well-draining potting mix enriched with compost.
3. Sowing or transplanting plants into containers: Plant cucumber seeds or transplant seedlings into containers, allowing at least 12 inches of space between plants.
4. Caring for container plants: Water container-grown cucumbers regularly to keep the soil evenly moist. Apply a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

Transplanting to Garden:

1. Soil and planting site preparation: Prepare the garden bed by amending the soil with compost and ensuring proper drainage.
2. Correct timing and method for transplanting: Transplant cucumber seedlings when they have at least two true leaves, spacing them 12-18 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart.
3. Post-transplant care: Provide a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Water regularly, especially during dry spells.

Plant Care:

1. Watering: Cucumbers require consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water deeply to encourage root growth, and avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease.
2. Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost tea every 3-4 weeks to promote healthy growth and fruit development.
3. Weeding: Keep the area around cucumber plants free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
4. Pest and disease management: Monitor for common cucumber pests like cucumber beetles and aphids, and diseases such as powdery mildew. Use row covers, organic insecticides, or fungicides as needed.

Harvesting:

1. Determining when plants are ready for harvest: Harvest cucumbers when they reach the desired size and color. For Marketmore cucumbers, this is typically when they are 6-8 inches long and dark green.
2. Harvesting and storage guidelines: Cut cucumbers from the vine using sharp scissors or pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Store harvested cucumbers in the refrigerator for up to a week.

When to Start from Seeds by USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:

• USDA Zones 3-7: Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date or sow directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
• USDA Zones 8-10: Start seeds indoors in late winter for early spring planting or sow directly outdoors in early spring.

Fast Facts:

• Planting depth: ½ inch
• Seed spacing: 6-8 inches
• Plant spacing: 12-18 inches
• Number of seeds per pot/container: 2-3 seeds per pot
• Water preferences: Consistently moist soil
• Sun preferences: Full sun
• Soil type and other important factors: Well-draining loamy soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8
• Companion Planting: Cucumbers grow well with beans, peas, radishes, and herbs like dill and basil.
• Temperature Preference: Warm-season crop, prefers temperatures between 70-90°F (21-32°C).
• Days to Germination: 7-10 days
• Days to Harvest: 55-65 days after transplanting.