Cucumbers are a must-have vegetable for Quebec gardeners. Easy to grow and refreshing, they are perfect for home gardens.
1. Choosing the Rights Variety
Tante Alice : Ideal for open-field cultivation, disease-resistant.
Lemon Cucumber : Round and yellow, mild and flavorful.
Marketmore : Variété robuste produisant des fruits allongés à la peau verte foncée, résistante aux maladies courantes.
Soil Type : Light, fertile, and well-drained, especially well-warmed in spring!
Ideal PH: Between 6 and 6.8.
Fertilization : Add compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
Direct seeding: From late May, once the risk of frost has passed.
Indoor sowing (if absolutely necessary) : Start in early April for transplanting in June, minimizing root disturbance.
Spacing: 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) between plants, 1 m (3 feet) between rows.
In Quebec, selecting the right variety is essential for a successful harvest. Here are a few well-adapted options:
2. Preparing the Soil and Choosing the Right Location
Cucumbers thrive in rich, well-drained soil with full sun exposure.
3. Sowing and Planting
Cucumbers can be grown from direct seeding or transplanted seedlings. However, since their roots are fragile, they dislike being transplanted. Direct planting in the garden is the best option.
4. Care and Watering
Watering : Regular and abundant, especially in hot weather.
Mulching : Reduces evaporation and limits weed growth.
Trellising : Cucumbers can be left to sprawl on the ground or trained to climb a support. While trellising makes harvesting easier and reduces some diseases, letting them grow naturally is often the simplest option.
5. Pest and Disease Management
Powdery mildew: Choose resistant varieties and space plants well to promote air circulation.
Aphids and cucumber beetles: Use insect netting or encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
6. Harvesting and Storage
When to harvest? About 50 to 70 days after sowing, when the fruits are firm. The more you harvest, the more your plants will produce.
How to store? Keep in the refrigerator for up to a week or use lacto-fermentation for longer preservation.
By following these tips, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh and delicious cucumbers all summer long! Feel free to share your experiences in the comments!