You know that summer is on its way when it is time to sow your cucumbers and there are some great varieties to choose from for both indoors and out. Having revealed some award-winning cues for outdoor growing last month, in this issue we’re looking at their tender cousins, the greenhouse cues. These are the smooth-skinned beauties of the cucumber world – no spines, tough skins or bitterness here – just cool and refreshing fruit with that subtle yet distinctive fresh flavour – a true taste of summer.
SOURCING YOUR PLANTS
Seeds can be sown from February onwards, but unless you have heated undercover space it’s best to delay sowing until late April/May. Alternatively, young plant specialists and local garden centres will offer established young plants at just the right stage for potting on into their first small pots.
For seeds you’ll need to provide a temperature of at least 20C (68F) for germination – a heated propagator, heated mat, sand bench or south-facing windowsill are all ideal. Sow into individual small pots – one seed per pot is usually fine, but you can sow two and thin to the strongest if you wish. Maintain moisture and humidity by covering with a propagator lid until the seedlings emerge, which can take as little as seven to 10 days. At this point they can be uncovered and grown on, still in warmth, until the first true leaves appear.
As mentioned, if more convenient, you might prefer to buy in your young plants, so avoiding the sowing stage and the need to provide early heat. Choose healthy plants with no signs of pests or diseases; check the stems in particular to be sure there are no signs of rotting.
VARIETY CHOICE
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
This month, with sweetcorn, figs and blackberries on the menu, Anna Cairns Pettigrew is not only serving up something sweet and something savoury, but all things scrumptious
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT AUTUMN RASPBERRIES
September - is it late summer or the start of autumn? David Patch ponders the question and says whatever the season, it's time to harvest autumn raspberries
SOW GREEN THIS AUTUMN
Covering the soil with a green manure in winter offers many benefits and this is a good time to sow hardy types, says KG editor Steve Ott
A HISTORICAL HAVEN OF FRUIT AND FLOWERS
KG's Martin Fish takes time out from his own plot to visit a walled garden in Lincolnshire which has been home to the same family for more than 400 years
RESTORING THE BALANCE
The phrase regenerative gardening is often heard in gardening circles, but what is it? Can it help you to grow better veg? Ecologist Becky Searle thinks so, and tells us why
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld shares his expertise on using compost made from green bin collections with handy tips on getting the right consistency and quality
Celebrating Organic September!
In this special section we bring you four great features aimed at improving your crops and allowing nature to thrive
SEEING RED
Do your tomatoes have a habit of remaining stubbornly green? Or perhaps you're lucky to enjoy lots of lovely fruits - just all at once. Either way, Benedict Vanheems is here with some top tips to ripen and process the nation's favourite summer staple
NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!
Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try
A NEW kitchen garden
Martin Fish is getting down to plenty of picking and planting on the garden veg plot, while Jill is rustling up something pepper-licking good!