Cucumber is a tender, warm-season vegetable that produces well when given proper care and protection. The vines of standard varieties grow rapidly and require substantial space. Cucumbers are usually started by planting seeds directly in the garden. Plant after the danger of frost has passed, and the soil has warmed in the spring. Warm soil is necessary for germination of seeds and proper growth of plants. With ample soil moisture, cucumbers thrive in warm summer weather. A second planting for fall harvest may be made in mid- to late summer.

Plant transplants 1 to 2 feet apart in rows 5 to 6 feet apart when they have two to four true leaves. Do not allow transplants to get too large in containers or they will not transplant well. Like other vine crops, cucumbers do not transplant successfully when pulled as bare-root plants.

Plant seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep and thin the seedlings to one plant every 12 inches in the row or to three plants every 36 inches in the hill system. If you use transplants, plant them carefully in warm soil 12 inches apart in the row. Pick cucumbers at any stage of development before the seeds become hard. Cucumbers usually are eaten when immature.

Nutrition Facts (6 large or 8 small raw cucumber slices with peel) Calories 5 Protein trace Dietary fiber 1 gram Carbohydrates 1 gram Calcium 7 mg Vitamin A 70 IU Vitamin C 3 mg Iron trace

(Approximately 900 to 1,100 seeds per oz.)