I use soft string or twine to tie up the vines as they begin to ramble. Cucumbers require consistent moisture. Periods of alternating dry and wet conditions stress these shallow rooted plants and result in bitter and stubby fruits. Pick cucumbers on the young side, before seeds mature and while fruits are firm-fleshed. Harvest often, every 2 or 3 days in peak season, to keep plants producing.
Fresh cucumbers are sweet, crunchy and refreshing.
Dill, mint, fennel and parsley are all herbs that complement and enhance their flavor. A dressing of very fresh, plain yogurt, combined with a little olive oil, crushed garlic and freshly chopped herbs makes a great dish to eat with crusty bread and a good dry white wine. Try both Middle Eastern Garden Oasis and English style Chelsea Prize to experience the differences between crispy cuke cultivars. Whether you choose zucchini, scallop squash or crooknecks, warm daytime weather means it s time to plant summer squash seeds. Squash plants are easy to grow and produce abundantly over a long season.