Seattle Seed Co. - Cucumber - Early Fortune Organic
*Organic Variety* This cucumber was introduced in 1910 by the Jerome B. Rice Seed Company from a single plant found in a crop of Davis Perfect. This is a very productive and reliable garden cucumber with rich, dark green spiny skin and firm, pure white flesh. The flesh has very few seeds and a clean taste Cucumbers are the ultimate low-calorie snack: Juicy and refreshing, you can eat all you want without gaining weight because they are more than 95 percent water. Cukes are hot weather plants naturally, but they will grow in cooler climates. They hate cold soil and cold weather, so the soil should be at least 65 degrees, preferably 70 degrees, when planting. In warm parts of the country you can put seeds directly into the ground; in shorter-season areas (like the Northwest), you should start seedlings indoors 2-3 weeks before putting them out into the garden (which should be a week or two after the last spring frost). If you'll be transplanting seedlings, rather than sowing directly into the garden, remember that young cucumber plants transplant best. They resent having their roots disturbed, so avoid touching the roots when planting them into the garden. To avoid cucumber beetle damage, you can cover the plants with garden fabric (row cover). Do this at planting time, before the beetles arrive. Pin down the edges with Earth Staples or with boards or rocks. Since cukes are insect-pollinated, the plants must be uncovered once they start to bloom. Like many vegetables, the more cucumbers you pick, the more you get. Never let cukes get big and seedy or the plant will assume that its work is done. Although there are varieties listed as pickling cukes and others called slicers, either kind can be pickled or eaten fresh in salads. Be sure the soil stays consistently moist or your cucumbers will be tough and bitter. Net Weight Approx. 1g