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If you choose to leave them on the ground, I'd recommend you at least put some wheat straw under them so the cucumbers don't come in contact with the soil. This can cause the bottom sides of the cukes to get nasty and some pests can get to them from there too. We always use two T-posts with some type of fence (we use concrete reinforcing wire) to let them grow up. Makes picking them a lot easier because you don't have to step into the growing vines.
When my family lived in Maine, we would put down the straw when the plants were about 6" - 8", so this is a great time to lay it out. Best of all, in the fall, it can be tilled in to help with making the soil richer over the winter!
I do have mulch around then but I think I buy 2 more 7' concrete wire and do it right.
Thanks for the info
Hastur, you were posting while I went to take the pic, maybe straw would be a lot easer.
We will see, have company coming tomorrow, so by the end of the week I'll make a move, Thanks
This message was edited Jun 23, 2008 1:45 PM
$5 for straw would be less than 2 $9 concrete wire
My cukes are about 15 inches long, but the pack said they'd be at least 10". They're the Burpless ones. How can I tell if they are ready to pick? The ends are still spiney or prickly and more narrow than the rest of it. Should I wait till the shape 'evens' out?
Hi Ladybeetle, I have read that cukes can be picked at any size, my DW likes the little sweet gherkins type pickles so I will pick and can them when they are an inch or so long.
I'm not sure about burpless cukes. Show us your garden.
