By Tim Schreck

We are hearing the sounds of summer in Southeast Texas here at our house.  Some people would say the loud cracking of gumbo clay drying in the sun, but around here we hear the sound of cucumbers crunching in a cucumber and tomato salad. As a kid I loved pickles but hated cucumbers, but after hitting 40 something changed and I love them all kinds of ways.

Cucumbers originated in India more than 3,000 years ago where wild versions were cultivated into some of the ancestors of today’s varieties. There is literature describing cucumbers in early Turkey and Greece.  There are also a couple references of them in the Bible where they are mentioned growing over a hut used by the worker who kept the birds and the robbers out of the gardens. The ones mentioned in early Roman history are only about smaller versions. Romans had medicinal uses for cucumbers like curing bad eyesight and intestinal problems.  Wives wanting to bear children would wear them around their waist and midwives would have them next to them and ceremoniously throw them away when the baby was born.

Cucumbers, technically, come from the gourd family, Cucurbitaceous, which includes melons and squash.  There are three main groups: pickling, slicing and burpless. Within those groups, there are many different characteristics to choose from, like short or long, smooth or bumpy, thick or thin skinned.  Slicing cucumbers are usually darker green, longer, smooth and usually have a little bit thicker skin.  These are the ones found in grocery stores since their  thicker skin  allows better storage and transportation from the field to the store. Pickling cucumbers are usually smaller, can vary in color and  are thin-skinned.  There are, of course, other varieties that can be used for either, depending on when you pick them. There are burpless varieties of pickling and slicing cucumbers. Many people have problems digesting cucumbers, so burpless varieties are popular.  All varieties have vining versions but a few have bush type available for smaller areas or  containers.

It is best to trellis all cucumbers to keep the leaves and fruit off the ground.  Really anything that will allow the tendrils to grow up will work.

Cucumbers are heavy feeders and like well amended soil.  They like water but do not like wet soil so most of the time they are planted in well drained sandy soil and just watered regularly. If cucumber plants are allowed to go dry, the cucumbers will be bitter, so regular watering is critical.  Regular picking will keep them producing over the four- to six-week picking period.  Many people plant a few seedlings each week to extend out the picking season.  Ask around and find out what varieties grow well in your area and fit your needs. Whether slicing or pickling,  burpless  or not, cucumbers are a great way to enjoy the summer.

Reach  Master Gardener Tim Schreck at timothyrschreck@gmail.com  or call the  Texas A&M  AgriLife Extension Service  at 409-835-8461.