Growing Cucumber

As the weather begins to warm, its time to start thinking about planting for summer crops! Cucumber is the delicious and fresh vegetable that is so versatile and thrives in a sunny spot in the garden. Cucumbers require a supporting structure - a trellis or fence type structure will suit it well, and as it grows it needs to be tied for support. Cucumber rots quickly when touching the soil, so make sure to check your plant regularly for new growth and adjust your support as required. They are definitely a summer plant as they require full sun and moist but not wet or saturated soil, so regular water for consistency.

Cucumber loves growing alongside beans, radish, spinach, peas, corn - and marigolds will help act as a natural pest repellent. Make sure you get the best from your crop this season with McGregor's VegeMax. McGregor's VegeMax is a complete liquid fertiliser that will maximise the production and development of your crop.

How to choose the best variety for you

Cucumber Patio Snacker F.1. Hybrid
A controlled yet vigorous variety with short branching vines. Can be grown in large containers, with small trellis, on decks or balconies.

Cucumber Seed Bushcrop
This variety trails less than most Cucumbers, making it perfect for the smaller garden and even large containers. Bushcrop is happy to grow in the ground, i.e. no fence or trellis required.

Cucumber Seed Crystal Apple
Cool, refreshing and bitter free. Slice for sandwiches and salads, pickle or eat them like apples.

Cucumber Seed Telegraph Improved
Long 30-40cm fruit that do not need peeling. A very popular variety suited for growing up a fence or trellis. Deep green fruit. Harvest regularly to prolong fruit production. Also ideal for growing in a greenhouse.

Cucumber Seed Burpless Long Green F.1. Hybrid
Heavy yielding and excellent downy mildew resistant. Produces long, slim dark-green fruit approximately 23cm in length. Sweet burpless flesh. Heavy yielding and has excellent downy mildew resisitance. Sow indoors in spring.

Cucumber Seed Lebanese F.1. Hybrid
Sweet taste and a very juicy texture. Medium green fruit approx 12-15cm long and 5cm in diameter. Sweet, juicy burpless flesh with tender edible skins. Very popular convenient size to avoid wastage.

Gherkin Seed Pickling Cucumber
An easy to grow gourmet treat, great pickled for future enjoyment. Gherkin's are increasing in popularity at a very fast rate.

Planting Instructions
How To Sow: Choose warm, well-drained site in full sun. Sow these seeds in trays or pots for subsequent transplanting or after frosts, sow direct where to grow in a well-prepared seedbed. Sow seeds 15cm apart, to a depth of 1cm. Later, space to 100cm apart.
Seedling Care: Keep seedbed or trays evenly moist during the germination period of 7-14 days. Apply McGregor's FruitMax 2 weeks after germination for healthier plants and a maximum crop. Protect your vege garden from snails and slugs with McGregor's Snail and Slug bait and from White Butterfly with McGregor's Derris Dust.
Hints and Tips: To save space plus to keep the fruit clean, allow them to grow over a trellis or similar support.