My bird loves a good cucumber, one that has a really goopy center. The problem I’m having is the store bought cucumbers in my area are pathetic even when they are in season. They consist of mostly the white firm flesh with very little goop or seed in the center. Additionally, at 22yo, My friend is running out of summers and I always promised him we would try to grow a good cucumber one day.
I’m not exactly a gardener but this seems easy enough. My grandfather gardened and I remember him going out of his way to get certain breeds of seeds to get the precise genes he wanted. I’m trying to do that with cucumbers, and I’m looking for that goop.
Any cucumber enthusiasts able to recommend a brand? Planting and growing tips are welcome as well, but I’m not trying to turn this into a large project either.
I’m in the Pittsburgh, PA area. I have several areas to plant for adjusting sunlight duration. Soil is poor and a bit swampy. I could probably use a container. Unsure what’s best yet.
Update: I have made the selections and planted the garden on May 11. I am seed sowing Muncher variety cucumbers in a large container with a trellis and a couple of side pots of marigold.
The container is a 36x17x15 rectangular plastic storage tub. I placed it on a 36x22x3 pallet, and dropped a tarp in it to cover the sides (both inside and outside tub walls). I filled it with 100 pounds of topsoil prepped with some miracle grow liquid. The trellis is nothing too pretty. Old pallets broken down for a 60x36 wood frame leaning against the house on a 60 degree angle. I have some poly rope to use as lattice and can adjust on the fly.
I selected the Muncher variety for it being good on a trellis, its burpless and resistant to a lot of disease. A local to my area grows these every year in a raised bed with trellis. I planted (3) groupings of (2) seeds for (6) seeds total. I will trim to 3 at some point. I plan on adding some mulch when the plants take hold of the vines. I’m capable of pollinating them manually if I have to.
I should get 2 hours with the sun obscured by trees followed by 6 hours of unimpeded sun before it disappears behind the house. It will not get direct sun for the last 3-4 hours.
The marigolds are to attract insects and for their odorous protection. Dunno. He works at a place that sells marigold seeds. I wonder if he jive talked me. Sounds sus, but I had soil left over and thought what the hell.
Wish Dales cucumbers luck and thanks for the replies. I’ll post a final update in a few months (because I hate leaving things unfinished).