GROWING HEIRLOOM CUCUMBERS
When growing cucumbers it is best to choose a location where the soil is loose and well drained. The preparation of the soil should begin a month before by digging over the soil and removing all weeds. Applying a layer of manure will help to give the plants nutrients when growing. The time to begin growing the cucumber plants is when there is least chance of a frost. Seeds should be started off indoors in peat pots to avoid damage to the root system when transplanting to the garden. The seedlings should be ready to be transplanted into the garden after 12 to 14 days.
Space the plants in groups of 3 and spacing the groups at 2ft apart. If you are growing cucumbers in rows, space the rows at 3ft apart. While the cucumbers are growing keep the plants well watered and search for, and remove all weeds at regular intervals.
HARVESTING HEIRLOOM CUCUMBERS
The time to harvest the cucumbers is roughly 50 - 60 days after planting, depending on the variety being grown. The cucumbers should be harvested before they turn yellow. If the cucumbers do turn yellow they will be bitter to the taste, so a timely harvest is vital.
SAVING HEIRLOOM CUCUMBER SEEDS
Cross pollination occurs in cucumbers. This means pollen is transferred from a plant of one variety to a plant of another variety. This is done by insects. Although it does not affect the fruit borne this season, if you save the seed and plant them next year, the plants that come from these seeds will be different. So will the fruit. So, if you want to save cucumber seed, plant only one variety. Select strong, healthy cucumber plants and well-formed fruits. Let the fruits hang on the vine until ripe (skin becomes yellowish and hard). Scoop the seeds out with a spoon. Place in a jar or bowl, fill the jar will water. Let stand for a few days (outdoors) until a mold forms on the top. The good seeds will have sunk to the bottom and bad seeds float to the top.
Gently pore the mold and bad seeds from the top of the jar and refill the jar with water. Keep pouring off yucky water until you have clean water and seeds at the bottom of jars. Drain and put on a class plate or screen, place in a shady spot until the seeds will snap when you break them apart, not just bend them.
