Daphne, you're right on the money. You're right, you're right, you're right. I've always grown straight eight cucumbers and they're great for the first month or so and get so bitter. I planted some pickling cucumbers in July and even though it's September now we've never gotten out of the 90's during the day and I haven't changed my watering schedule at all, the cucumbers that the pickling plants have produced are amazing. They're sweet and have that undeniable cucumber flavor that the cucumbers in the market are sorely lacking. They're crazy awesome and nothing compares. I picked some last week and I got two more today and ate them for dinner...and they didn't last on the counter long enough for a picture.
I don't know what it is. Could it be the cooler nights, or could it be that they're smaller and don't spend so much time on the vine in the heat, but I'm telling you, pickling cucumbers aren't just for pickling. They're undeniably wonderful.
The ones I bought were tauted to be a bush variety, and although they don't produce tendrils to climb, I'm wondering if I couldn't weave them through the trellis to free up square footage. It would take dedication, but seriously, these puppies are worth it. I'm now wondering how many more I can get in before the first frost which seems a long way away...although now that I've said that..... Eh, I'm thrilled regardless.
Three more sports designs for the keychains went up today. We HEART sports!
The morning comes early. Sweet cucumber dreams.
I didn't know cucumbers came in a bush variety! I will also have to consider trying a late summer planting of cucumbers next year, as my early summer planting was done for by mid-summer.
ReplyDeleteHi ribbit, the bush type will do fine climbing a fence or trellis they will weave on there own. John
ReplyDeleteTell that to my husband - that I'm always right, not about the cukes though he wouldn't care. Oh wait you didn't say "always". Darn.
ReplyDeleteBut I do love my pickling cukes. The only time I've tried any other kind in the last decade has been last year when I tried Armenian cukes (though technically it is melon not a cuke) for the first time. They couldn't handle our wet and cold weather, but the pickling cukes eked out a small harvest for me. Even in the year of slug death.
What a great way to extend the cucumber harvest. I trellis the Sweet Success english style cukes (all female blossoms and self pollinating), but by the end of July the vines crisp up no matter how much water. By gum! Next year I'll start picklers in July for August, maybe Sept feasting. You just can't have too many cukes! :-D
ReplyDeleteHEHE_ Yes, those picklers are pretty well my favorite! They come in 2 bush sizes. Compact 2ft & bush 4' YUMMO! Most of mine don't get in the blog because the littles grab and snack on them before I can even finish drying my hands from washing them off.
ReplyDeleteI keep mine trellised. They do great and it doesn't take much to keep them on the trellis. The cukes aren't so big that they pull the plant down unless you've got a good bee popluation and are getting loads.
HEHE_ Yes, those picklers are pretty well my favorite! They come in 2 bush sizes. Compact 2ft & bush 4' YUMMO! Most of mine don't get in the blog because the littles grab and snack on them before I can even finish drying my hands from washing them off.
ReplyDeleteI keep mine trellised. They do great and it doesn't take much to keep them on the trellis. The cukes aren't so big that they pull the plant down unless you've got a good bee popluation and are getting loads.
I decided that I'm only growing pickling cucumbers from now on. They are so great!
ReplyDeleteJohn, it's good to see you here! I miss you.
ReplyDeleteKris, there's always time for a second round!
Barbie, you've been holding out on me with the cucumbers. I'll grow them again next year, that's for sure.
Thyme, You have to read the information on them carefully, but there are a LOT of bush cucumbers and even a few vining pickling cucumbers.
Daphne....the "Always" was most certainly implied, have no doubt of that. ;)