Lesson 7: Vegetable Gardening
Cucumbers And Squash
Squash are prolific producers. Last year, I planted 6 hills of squash and, just like every year, found myself overwhelmed with the bounty. Crook neck, zucchini and patty squash are delicious baked, steamed or sautéed. Zucchini now comes in ball, yellow and the standard green varieties. Patty squash offers yellow, pale green and white hybrids that are sweet and delicious. Winter squash like Acorn, Hubbard and Turban, provide fiber and vitamin A in generous amounts, making them a nutrient-dense addition to Fall and winter meals.
Squash is best planted in small raised hills with a basin carved out of the top. Plant 2-3 seeds per hill, and thin out to the healthiest plants. One or two hills of each variety will produce a harvest big enough for a family of four, their friends, relations and anyone else you can collar.
The summer varieties are best picked when small and tender. Letting a squash like zucchini reach 2-3 feet in length takes energy away from producing more fruit. I pick patty, crook neck squash and zucchini when they are 6 inches in length. Winter squash should be harvested when the rind is firm and they reach their standard recommended size. All squash get woody and tasteless when left too long on the vine.
Squash is prone to mildew, so avoid wetting their leaves. Pests like the cucumber beetle can be treated with insecticidal soap. I recommend using care when removing spent foliage. The big leaves serve to shade the growing squash. Removing too much foliage can cause severe burning. Use a sharp knife to harvest squash, cutting as close to the stem as you can get. A quick sharp cut minimizes injury and encourages more production.
At the season's end, remove the spent plants and dispose of in the trash. This will avoid any contamination of the compost heap.
The cucurbit family includes species such as the gourd, watermelons, cantaloupes, squash and pumpkins. Cucurbits are known as the vine crops due to their growth, habit, and culture. Most plants in this species have a spreading growth habit with tendrils at the leaf axils. These plants are warm season, tender annuals that require hot weather to develop fruit.
Cucumbers originated in India between the Bay of Bengal and the Himalayas. They have been in cultivation for some 3,000 years, and may be one of our oldest crops. The cucumber was mentioned in the Bible, and was being grown in North Africa, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, and other areas at the beginning of the Christian era. In England the crop was first introduced in the 1300s, but not cultivated until 250 years later. Columbus planted seeds in Haiti, and by 1539 cucumbers were grown in Florida by the natives, reaching Virginia by 1584.
Cucumber seeds do not germinate in soil where temperatures are below 52 °F. Cucumbers require a light friable soil that is well drained for maximum yield. Soils that are sandy, silty, or clay loam should be enriched by tilling in a cover crop or using manure. Heavy soils or poorly drained soils are not suitable for the production of cucumbers. The cucumber needs well-drained soils. The cucumber plant can tolerate somewhat acid soils, but have maximum fruit set and growth between a pH of 5.8 to 6.8. Adding some phosphorus can help boost production. Using black plastic mulch is recommended for weed control.
Cucumber is a quick growing crop that produces a lot of succulent growth. The crop must be supplied with plenty of moisture for its vigorous growth. Cucumber plants especially need water during blossoming and fruiting. Any stress during blossoming could cause the blossom to abort. On average, cucumbers need 1 inch of water a week. During hot, dry weather and during blossoming the cucumber may need 2 inches a week. In the south where it is humid, overhead sprinkler systems are used. If using this type of irrigation, there should be enough time for the leaf to dry before nightfall, to decrease disease potential. During the blossom stage, it is important not to disrupt bee activity with overhead irrigation, because of the important role bees play in pollinating plants.
Cucumbers have been bred with resistance to several diseases including Anthracnose, Angular Leaf Spot, Bacterial wilt, Downy Mildew, Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Powdery Mildew, and Scab. F1 hybrid cultivars help control the disease but they do not eliminate the disease completely. Choosing resistant varieties, providing favorable growing conditions, controlling insect pests, and plowing or removing and composting plant refuse will all help in keeping disease population under control.
Harvest cucumbers when they reach 5 or more inches in length and are full and firm. Plant both the lemon and slicing varieties for salads and quick refreshing snacks. 3–4 plants should be enough to supply a family of four without having a heavy surplus.
Topic of Discussion: Have you ever made homemade pickles?
