Lemon Cucumber Seeds

Also sometimes referred to as ‘’mouse melon,’’ Lemon cucumber is an heirloom variety that was introduced to the United States from Australia in 1894. The vigorous vines produce sunny yellow, lemon-sized fruits with bright yellow flesh. Lemon cucumber can be harvested quickly in 60 days or earlier when they are the size of ping pong balls, when they are extra crisp. Lemon cucumbers have a clean, slightly citrusy taste and are never bitter. A good choice for home gardens and small farmers, lemon cucumbers are excellent in salads but also stand out and taste great when pickled.

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

It is a beautiful sight to behold when, in midsummer, an abundance of cucumbers are ripe and ready to pick. If plenty of sun and water is available, you can easily produce a plethora of potential pickles!

Seeds can be started indoors about 3 weeks before the last frost. Bottom heat and warm soil is an important factor in germination. Cucumbers will also do well directly sown into the garden, but don’t plant too soon. Soil must be at least 21°C for seeds to sprout. Multiple plantings can be made every two weeks to ensure a continual harvest throughout the season.

Choose a site in full sun with fertile well-drained soil. Seeds can be sown directly at a depth of 2 cm. Cucumbers should be given plenty of room to sprawl, space at about 90-150 cm apart. Unless you’re planning to grow vertically on trellises, then space plantings to 30 cm.

Water frequently when sprouts emerge, they will require about 2 cm of water/week. Apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and to keep fruits from laying in the soil. Water slowly and carefully, foliage should remain dry in order to prevent leaf diseases like powdery mildew. It is a good idea to apply a liquid fertilizer around the base of the plants after they start flowering. Lightly fertilize every few weeks during the picking season.

Harvest cucumbers at the size appropriate to its variety so they don’t get bitter. Slicers are best at 15-20 cm and picklers at 5 cm. Search well and pick often. Fruits are often missed and can quickly swell up to inedible sizes. The constant harvest will promote more blossoms and fruit. Use a knife or pruners to clip cukes to prevent damage to the fruit and plant. Cucumbers come in many different shapes and sizes and can be so refreshing in the sweltering summer months. Why not plant enough to pick a few pecks?

QUICK FACTS

- Cultivated for at least 3,000 years, the cucumber first originated from India. Charlemagne had cucumbers grown in his gardens in the eighth century. They were reportedly introduced into England in the early 14th century and North America by the mid-16th century.

- There are three main types of cucumber: slicing, pickling and seedless.

- A trellis usually provides a higher yield, but you can also use stakes.

- Cucumber seeds will remain viable for 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.