Seed of the Month - Yates Cucumber Continental
Yates Seed of the Month for January 2010 is Cucumber Continental, the long, sweet cucumber
that can be eaten skin and all.
Cucumbers just love the hot weather, so they’ll germinate and grow quickly at this time of the
year. In all but the coldest areas, there’s plenty of time for a good crop.
Choose a sunny, well-drained position. Dig in some Yates Blood & Bone and some well-aged
organic matter (such as compost or manure). Build soil up into mounds (like mini volcanoes) that
are about 40cm apart, and water well. Allow to drain and then sow 4 -5 seeds into the top of each
mound. Make sure the mounds don’t dry out, especially during hot weather, but, conversely, don’t
water too generously as cucumber seeds will rot away if they’re too wet.
Each mound can really only support a maximum of two plants, so this will mean pulling out the
weaker seedlings and leaving the two strongest to grow on.
Water regularly at the base of each plant – keeping leaves dry will reduce the risk of powdery
mildew disease – and feed every couple of weeks with Thrive soluble plant food. Cucumber
plants that are stressed by lack of food or water will often end up producing slightly bitter fruit.
Like their pumpkin/squash/zucchini/melon relatives, cucumbers have separate male and female
flowers. At first, many plants produce a preponderance of male flowers, but they’ll gradually settle
into reliable production. Picking fruit regularly encourages more to develop. Cucumber can be
harvested quite small, which is often when they’re at their sweetest.
And, if you’re after ideas for using cucumbers in the kitchen, Yates new Garden Fresh Cookbook
has six cucumber recipes (including one for Cucumber Spaghetti) and also includes a
recommendation that you try cooking your cucumbers.
Comments (15)
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Lorry
Yates site member
08:48, 06 January 2010
i live close to the coast, will the sea breeze affect the plants or are they salt tolerate.
Elizabeth
Yates site member
09:20, 06 January 2010
We live on the coast in WA and have a had a great first crop.
Manfred
Yates site member
10:13, 06 January 2010
We live in a retirement village and grow vegies in pots. Growing well, but fruiting poorlt.
Garry
Yates site member
14:21, 06 January 2010
Hi Manfred, I suggest that you set up a small hydroponic unit, they are not expensive and solve your watering problems.You can grow plants closer together and they are watered automatically. You will find that you will get heaps of vegies and if you like Strawberries as well then try it. We have one set up and its very sucesful all year round!
Helen
Yates site member
10:52, 06 January 2010
I am growing aloe vera plants . what is the best food for them. We cut up the leaf and put it in water in the refridgerator and drain it off then refil it everyday. It is very good for you.
vera
Yates site member
11:27, 06 January 2010
at this moment im trying to grow rockmelon i cant seem to get any fruit on them i have tried everything with no success could someone give me some ideas
Denise
Yates site member
11:34, 06 January 2010
my parsley is dying plant by plant is it because it gets old and i should plant new crops regulary , or should they last for ever
Jackie
Yates site member
13:21, 06 January 2010
I grow my continentals with basil and tomatoes and they never stop cropping, but you must keep the water up to them if you hit a dry period. I also always support my cucumber, this way they do not suffer from rot and the fruit is always clean.
ashley
Yates site member
13:30, 06 January 2010
first time grower of egg plant how can you tell when they are ready to pick ?
Rainald
Yates site member
18:11, 06 January 2010
I agree with the need to keep the cuces off the ground, leaves dry and supported making them easy to find and safe from fungal attack. I gave away 8 in one day and was so proud!
barbara
Yates site member
18:14, 06 January 2010
living in a retirement village space is small and being elderly can no longer bend. I was given two old cement laundry tubs which I had our Mens Shed make waist high for me and I planted my favourite vegies. The climbing beans and sweet corn were from seed and they are both up and running. The mini cabbages, spinach, lebanese cucumbers, beetroot, lettuce and capsecum are looking very healthy. I planted one cherry tomato which is enough for one person. I am very proud of my garden.
Oliver
Yates site member
14:14, 07 January 2010
Good on ya Barbara. Sounds Great!!!
Silvia
Yates site member
10:16, 10 January 2010
I have a small garden this year it has supplied all my neighbours with three kind of tomatoes grape, berry,yellow mellow and roma. I am having trouble with cucumbers, do I grow tham on the ground or on some kind of climbing support. also can I grow rhubarb in a pot in full sun.
Marilyn
Yates site member
10:43, 15 January 2010
I have 2 seeds from doughnut peaches I bought at Thomas Dux. Is there anything I can do to guarantee they will germinate?
Walter Saleem
Yates site member
10:58, 13 February 2010
I grown radish and turnip seed they grown up I pick som of radish which tast great, but all of a sudden they all die. Please tell me why its happend. Thanks Walter Saleem
Walter Saleem
Yates site member
11:03, 13 February 2010
I grown the radish and turnip seeds they grown and tast good. But all of a sudden they all die. Please tell me why its happend. Thanks Walter Saleem
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