Heirloom Cucumbers
Lemon Cucumbers
START SEEDS OUTDOORS
Plant heat-loving cucumbers in full sun only when weather is warm and settled and night temps stay above 50°F (10°C), first amending soil well with aged manure or compost. Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds, 1 inch deep and 18 inches apart. When the baby seedlings are 2 inches tall, thin out extras, leaving one strong seedling per group. After thinning, provide a 3 to 5 foot strong vertical support or tomato cage around each seedling and train the vines up the supports as they grow. Growing vigorous, heavy-bearing cucumber vines up supports makes it easier to harvest the cucumbers, saves garden space, and helps prevent disease.
GROWING NOTES
Protect seedlings from marauding birds with plastic berry baskets, removing before plants get crowded. Shallow-rooted cucumbers need adequate and consistent moisture to produce sweet tasting, nicely formed cucumbers. Avoid overly wet or dry periods for good quality fruits.
HARVEST AND USE
For best quality, sweet tasting fruits, be sure to pick young lemon cucumbers when they are still pale green with just a hint of lemon color on their skins. Bright yellow fruits are pretty but overmature and they will have tough skins and seeds. Enjoy the freshly picked, lemon-shaped cucumbers still warm from the sun as snacks and in salads. These old-fashioned cucumbers also make fine tasting pickles, both sweet and dill.
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun-Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Days to Harvest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May - June
|
April - June
|
Full sun
|
18 inches apart
1 inch deep |
5 - 10 days
|
Approx. 60
|
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun-Shade |
Sow Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Days to Harvest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May - June
|
April - June
|
Full sun
|
18 inches apart
1 inch deep |
5 - 10 days
|
Approx. 60
|
Cold Winters
May - June
|
Mild Winters
April - June
|
Sun-Shade
Full sun
|
Sow Seeds
18 inches apart
1 inch deep |
Days to Germinate
5 - 10 days
|
Days to Harvest
Approx. 60
|