How to plant cucumbers info

Planting cucumbers. Make a rank growth, need plenty of room, and are not for smaller gardens. Cucumbers need warm weather for good development and are not only sensitive to cold but cannot stand the extreme summer heat of some locations. They are susceptible to various diseases and insects. Cucumbers must have an extremely fertile, mellow soil, generously supplied with manure and other organic matter. In addition, rotted manure and commercial fertilizer should be worked well into 8 or 10 inches of soil under the rows or hills. The ratio should be 3 or 4 wheelbarrowfuls of manure and 5 pounds of commercial fertilizer to each ro hills or to 50 feet of row. Pickling varieties are such small types as National Pickling, Snow's Pickling, Boston Pickling, Chicago Pickling. Large varieties, primarily for slicing, are A and C, Arlington White Spine, Straight Eight, Early Fortune, and Stays Green.

Shamrock is a mosaic-resistant of the white spine type. Cucumbers need 6 feet between rows and as much clearance between the plants in the rows. Sow seeds in hills, with 8 or 10 seeds in a hill, and thin out to 2 plants to a hill. Cover the seeds to a depth of 1 inch. If the soil tends to bake, cover with a loose mixture of earth, sifted coal ashes and sand that will not form a crust and keep the plants from emerging.

The fruits must be removed before hard seeds form; this lengthens the life of the plants. Frequent spraying or dusting is necessary.

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