In general, pickling cucumbers are smaller at maturity than slicers. Along with length, check to see if the slicers are firm, and pick them before they start to get spongy.
Should you have to err on one side or the other, choose to pick cucumbers when they are a bit smaller than full size, not a bit larger. A little extra crunch is fine, but oversized fruits are mushy, and may even be sour or bitter.
Your aim is tender seeds and firm, crispy flesh — and for that you must pick when the fruits are not yet overripe. Younger fruits have the best flavor, and their removal encourages the plant to keep blooming and producing more.
Along with noting whether your cucumbers are big enough to pick, check out the weather forecast and plan accordingly. Multiple cucurbit diseases are spread via wet leaves, so make sure the leaves are dry before you start picking.
I love snacking straight from my veggie plants as much as the next gardener, but this is not the time to rummage around in the summer garden without the best tools or storage options for the harvest. Instead, bring sterilized kitchen shears or a sharp paring knife with you as you head to the garden, along with a basket or bag to contain what you pick. For all their sprawl and vigor, cucumbers are just one tug away from coming completely out of the ground. They have a tap root, but just the one.
Side roots grow just below the surface of the soil, and are pulled up easily. Also, avoid trying to carry the harvest in your hands as you pick. You may drop it, and slicers in particular bruise easily.
As far as needing two plants, cucumbers have both female and male flowers male flowers have a small fruit behind them so as long as you are helping move the pollen if needed you will be good to go. Your email address will not be published. Ask a Garden Question Subscribe. Search Search for: Search. When to Pick Cucumbers Cucumbers are easy to grow and just as easy to harvest.
When to Harvest Cucumbers Harvest cucumbers when they attain at least six to eight inches in length. Extending Your Season At the end of the season, when the threat of frost is approaching, prune off any underdeveloped cucumbers to force the plant to focus the rest of its energy on those closer to harvest.
Preserving Cucumbers Keep cucumbers cool and fresh by storing them in the refrigerator. Kellogg Garden Organics. Learn More. Product Locator by Locally. Recommended Cucumber Varieties to Grow With so many varieties of cucumbers to choose from, it can be hard to decide which to grow.
It produces large yields of cucumbers with smooth, dark green and sweet flesh. This variety works well in backyard gardens and in containers. It produces crisp fruits with smooth and dark green skin. This post may contain affiliate links. View our disclosure. Have loads of cucumbers growing on the vine, and wondering when you should pick them? Most cucumbers are ready to harvest days after germination. Some varieties grow faster than others, so consult the seed packet or the plant tag that came with your seedlings to see how long yours are supposed to take.
This will give you an idea of when you should start looking for ripe cucumbers. As soon as they turn green, feel firm to the touch and have reached the right size for the variety and your intended use, go ahead and pick them.
Here are some guidelines for when to pick different types of cucumbers:. Burpless: 1. Most cucumbers develop dark green skins, but some varieties have lighter skins.
From the time a female flower appears on the vine, it only takes days for a cucumber to grow to mature size, so be sure to check for ripe cucumbers often. To prevent damage to the vines, cut your ripe cucumbers off with a pair of scissors or a knife. Leave an inch of the stem intact, so the cucumbers will store well. Create a personalised content profile.
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