I love cucumber plants. From the minute the seedling bursts forth from the compost, sturdy and self reliant looking with the two leaves still encased in the split open seed casing, there is something very satisfying about them
Strong healthy plants that drink water like it is going out of fashion.
They even tie themselves up for you their strong almost elasticated tendrils reaching out for any signs of support that you have placed near them ... it saves on string :-)
In front of mine this year I have planted a few clumps of Rocket ...
...and to one side a French Marigold.
The burst of orange colour and the strong scent that the flowers will bring makes the polytunnel a lovely place to be and they attract beneficial insects to the plants that need them.
This year I have planted just three Cucumber plants in the polytunnel bed as last year I had four on the go at once and we just couldn't keep up with the numbers of cucumbers that we got. Although hopefully next year when the farm gate shop is in full swing I will be able to sell any excess, so I will be able to have more of one of my favourite plants growing away.
Sue xx
Your plants look so healthy Sue. I love the green guards around each cucumber plant. Is there a well for water around the edge, to keep snails and pests off the plants? I love them, and will try to source some here. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sally, they are in some of my tomato grow pots, something I thought I would try this year.
DeleteThe inner pot holds the plant and is watered into when you are feeding the plants tomato food and the outer ring is where you water whenever the plants need it, there are just a few holes in the base which lets the water drip down into the soil well beneath the plant helping the roots to stay deep rather than coming to the surface as they tend to do in the heat of the polytunnel.
Up to now it seems to be working as the plants are looking super healthy.
I really only meant to have 2 cucumber plants, then thought I could squeeze in 3 and ended up with all four that germinated as I couldn't bear to throw one out! They are taking over the greenhouse and we've eaten 5+ already.
ReplyDeleteI must say I rather like the plants - trouble is \I'm not keen on what they produce.
ReplyDeleteYour polytunnel is very tidy and your cucumber plants are already huge. Mine are being out competed by the kohlrabi and greens, hopefully when those finish the cucumbers will get a bit more sun.
ReplyDeleteAnything ready for " the show?"
ReplyDeleteNot yet, but then if it was it would be in a sorry state by August ;-)
DeleteWeve got normal cucumber plants growing but we also planted 2 mini cucumber plants too. These have gone mad! Not as fast growing as courgettes but close. We've been getting 2 a day. Just right for a sarnie!
ReplyDeleteLovely and healthy looking.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I'm impressed by your support system. I've just used single stakes.. and a lot of string!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a three sided tomato plant support, it should be folded into a triangle shape and the tomato plants get one side each to grow up, but I opened it out flat and tied it to the polytunnel upright.
DeleteThere's no string used at all for the Cucumbers they are doing it for themselves ;-)
I was lazy one year and didn't pull up the rocket and it grew again in the spring the next year. So next year I left it again, and so far it's on its fourth year. I still grow a few back up plants each year, plus the old one is seeding itself around
ReplyDeleteDo you get lots of little holes in the leaves of yours?
Not many little holes no.
DeleteI try leaving lots of roots of plants in to see what happens the following year. Spinach and Kale plants also overwinter very well. This year I am also experimenting with cutting Spring Onions off at ground level as I harvest them and leaving the leaves to grow back ... so far so good :-)
The celery root I left in last year came back with a vengeance this Spring but then went to seed VERY quickly, so I am saving it to harvest the celery seeds for cooking with ... and the tiny flowers are beautiful :-)