Apple Cucumber

Cucumis sativus cultivar

Apple cucumbers have white to light yellow-green skin and white flesh. They are shorter and have a more rounded, oval shape than the common cucumber. They are crisp like an apple and have a mild sweet flavour.

Use and how to harvest

Pick cucumbers regularly as soon as they are an edible size to encourage new flowers and fruit and before they become soft and yellow. They can be picked when relatively small for making pickles.

Planting

Plant in a well ventilated, sunny spot, as they are prone to moulds and mildew in humid, calm weather. Directly into the soil 15cm apart at a depth of 1-1.5cm sow three seeds at each spot. Thin them as they grow to one plant at a spot. Seeds take 1-2 weeks to germinate.

Soil & fertiliser

Cucumbers need a rich soil that does not dry out, and has a pH of above 6.5. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Fertilse when fruiting fourtnightly with blood and bone.

Growth

Seeds sprout readily at soil temperatures of 20 degrees. Cucumbers thrive when grown up a trellis. 1-2 months to bear fruit.

Companion planting

Compatible with (can grow beside): legumes, beetroots, carrots, garlic. Avoid growing close to: potatoes, sage, mint, melons, fennel

Problems and what to do

Aphids: treat with white oil early morning or late afternoon to prevent leaf burn in the sun. Keep on top of it early, as aphids secrete a sticky substance which can cause mould and attract ants.

Mildew: Make sure that air can dry the leaves by cutting out surplus growth. Remove all leaves that don’t look healthy. Repeat to spray with Eco-fungicide spray until mildew subsides. Make sure you spray the backside of the leaves as well.