Cucumbers

Last year I had a go at growing cucumbers and it was a total disaster. I think I got one cucumber from three plants! Being a glutton for punishment I thought I’d try again this year. So I put in some seed (Burpless Tasty Green)and waited. The seed germinated quite quickly but while at the local garden centre I noticed some ridge cucumbers for sale so bought one. I hardened this off and planted it in an old strawberry tub that Martin made for me some years ago. I also planted three of my own grown seedlings with it. They all seemed to be doing well and my own grown plants caught up very quickly with the bought in one and there were lots of flowers. I decided to let them grow up canes and stop them after seven full leaves had formed. This was a good decision as they grew quite tall. A bad thing is that something is attacking the leaves but the plants keep on growing and producing little cucumbers. These cucumbers are swelling very very slowly! I wondered if they would ever become edible cucumbers but with judicious feeding, a bit of sun, lots rain and watering when necessary they are coming on nicely. Yesterday I saw that I have quite a sizeable cucumber hanging down the side of the tub. Also that a few of the cucumbers hidden in the leaves are also of a better size. They are not very thick though. Perhaps a bit more warmth would help!

Cucumbers! Lettuce Soup!

Last year I grew ridge cucumbers in the garden and got precisely one cucumber! Well being a glutton for punishment I am having another go. I don’t know a lot about growing cucumbers but I’ve been reading up about them. I have tiny cucumbers showing and I’ve stopped the vine after seven leaves to allow the laterals to develop. I am growing them in a deep tub and tying them to poles so that they grow up rather than hang down. I have four plants altogether but some are more advanced than others. I have two in this grey tub and a couple in large pots. They are all showing small cucumbers and those in pots are attaching themselves to the sticks with suckers like clematis does.

Any advice will be gratefully received! I am watering them well and feeding them regularly. I don’t know what else I can do but keep my fingers crossed!

With this humid sticky weather we are having, the rest of the garden is coming on really well. The beetroot which I sowed at the edge of the herbs is looking really good. I have sown a second sowing to follow on in the autumn. I like raw beetroot grated on to salads. I never knew one could do this until I bought a pack of bistro salad from Asda!

The lettuces too are getting out of hand but there is always lettuce soup! These are an oriental mix that I sowed about a month ago. They are very quick to grow and already I am picking leaves off them. Next to them is a row of spinach.

Lettuce Soup

At least one whole lettuce or equivalent in leaves. A red onion. Clove of garlic.Pint of vegetable stock. Seasoning. Dill, tarragon or basil-approx 2 table spoons of whichever is chosen. 1 tablespoon olive oil. Crème fraiche.

Add oil to large saucepan. Chop onion and garlic and add to pan. Sweat over low heat for 10 minutes. Make up stock and add to pan with chopped or torn lettuce plus black pepper to taste. Add herb of choice. Bring to boil and then simmer for ten minutes. Cool slightly and add half a tub crème fraiche. Stir in until melted. Liquidise until smooth. Serve with sprig of chosen herb and swirl of cream to decorate. Can be served cold. Is very good!