Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated, creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables. There are many varieties of cucumber including slicing, pickling, lemon, japanese (kyuri), Persian, gherkin, and more. Some are meant for eating fresh, others are for pickling and fermenting.

In North America, the term "wild cucumber" refers to plants in the genera Echinocystis and Marah, but these are not closely related. The cucumber is originally from South Asia, but now grows on most continents.

The most famous cucumbers are either the slicing cucumbers or the pickled cucumbers (pickles) both which are in the taxon Cucumis sativus. But there are a wide variety of other types of cucumbers, especially available to the gardener. Within the same species as the aforementioned varieties, there are several really cool heirlooms like the lemon cucumber which is actually round and yellow or sometimes white. Another variety looks more like a potato on the outside, though still very much a cucumber on the inside, called the sikkim cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sikkimensis). Gherkins (Cucumis anguria) are cool, varied, and small, often spikey-looking (the spikes are soft) and are most often pickled. The cucamelon (Melothria scabra) is a tiny, gherkin-like cucumber that resembles a tiny watermelon. Also there are quite a few varieties of what are called Armenian cucumbers which are actually a muskmelon species rather than a true cucumber—and these are very easy to grow in our hot climate.

Cucumbers are best started from seed indoors in February or March, planted out either after threat of frost is over, or protected from frosts if planted outside beforehand. The earlier start you get, the better. Some cucumber varieties don’t love our early summer. Consider planting another crop during the monsoon season for a second chance.

Plants grow best in full to part sun, with amended garden soil, and most varieties need ample room to vine. A few container-bred varieties can be grown on a tomato cage, but most are large plants. Feed occasionally with organic plant food.

Bush beans, corn, eggplant, sunflowers, and tomatoes make great companions in the garden. Avoid planting with aromatic herbs or potatoes. Avoid rotating with other cucurbit relatives (plants in the Cucurbitaceae like squash, melons, etc).

Harvest anytime they look good—younger fruits are more tender and flavorful.

Cucs for slicing and pickling

Spadefoot Nursery

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