The most important thing during cultivation is to determine the rules of how often to water cucumbers. open ground. This largely determines how rich and tasty it will be. harvested. Proper watering reduces the risk of disease development and pest infestation.
Cucumbers are considered moisture-loving cultivated plants. After planting in open ground, do not allow the soil to dry out. This unfavorable factor causes the leaves and ovaries to dry out, turn yellow and fall off.
But if you overdo it with water, then the risk of rotting of the root system and the development of fungal infections increases. With excess moisture in the ground, the amount of oxygen decreases, the leaves turn pale, the growth of vines stops, and the ovaries are poorly formed.
You can enjoy tasty, crispy cucumbers only if the watering regime is adjusted. If a rare supply of moisture alternates with excessive watering, the plant also develops slowly, and the fruits turn out to be bitter and have a deformed shape.
Cucumbers should be watered at the same frequency and in the same amount. warm water. If cucumbers for a long time did not receive moisture, do not fill them big amount water. To return to normal watering mode, you need to increase the moisture gradually.
From established weather conditions It depends how many times a week you water the cucumbers. IN summer period When the weather is clear and without rain, watering twice a week is sufficient. When hot, dry weather sets in, it is recommended to water the cucumbers every day. In rainy times, it is not recommended to water the beds additionally.
How to water cucumbers in open ground
It is forbidden to water cucumbers cold water. It reduces resistance to infections and pests, slows down the growth and development of cucumber vines. It definitely needs to be left to warm up. Fits large barrel, in which the water will settle. The water temperature for watering cucumbers should be approximately +20 degrees.
After each watering, it is useful to shallowly loosen the soil. This procedure improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the plant. If the soil has moved away from the stem, then hilling can be done.
Many novice gardeners are interested in the question of what kind of water can be used to water the beds. Water for irrigation should not only be warm, but also soft, without harmful impurities. If the water is hard, wood ash will help correct the situation. For 10 liters of water you need to take 60 g of ash.
It makes no difference when it is preferable to water cucumbers, in the morning or in the evening. IN evening time day, it is better to water about two hours before sunset. But you can also water in the morning, between 6 and 7 o’clock.
Is it possible to water cucumbers during the day?
What is the best time to irrigate? cucumber beds again depends on the weather. Do not water during the day if the weather is hot and sunny. From sun rays passing through drops of moisture, burns remain on the stem, leaves, ovaries. As a result, the plant may die. During hot weather, water the leaves in the evening, when the scorching sun is gone and the coolness has not yet set in.
On cloudy and cold days, watering cucumbers is reduced. In cold weather, if there is no rain, it is better to water the cucumber beds during the day. It is best to water cucumbers on the leaves before lunch time; you need to water under the plant weak pressure jets. This way, there will still be time for excess moisture to evaporate. In bad weather, the roots do not absorb water well, and the root system may begin to rot. Fungus can develop on cucumber leaves.
Proper care involves mulching the soil. Meadow grass, chopped grass, sawdust, peat, straw, film are suitable. Mulch can prevent the soil from drying out on a hot day, retains heat and protects against pests and infections.
How to water cucumbers, stages of development
Planting cucumber seedlings on open beds, 3-4 hours before transplanting, it needs to be watered abundantly. Then they are carefully removed from the box along with the earthen lump and placed in pre-prepared holes. After planting in the ground, seedlings need to be watered immediately. When cucumber seedlings just planted, approximately 2 liters of water per square meter should be consumed. meter.
Before sowing cucumber seeds, you need to prepare the soil; do not forget to add mineral supplements and ash, dig up and level land plot. Then you need to water the beds, it is better to use hot water and a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will disinfect the soil. It is better to plant cucumber seeds at a depth of 2 cm, at a distance of at least 45 cm.
Whether it is worth watering the ground immediately after the cucumber seeds have been sown is a controversial issue. But many vegetable growers believe that it is not worth watering cucumbers after planting, since the soil was initially watered. Oxygen will be forced out of the ground and the seeds will slowly germinate. In addition, repeated watering promotes crust formation.
Since cucumbers love moisture, it is necessary to ensure its uniform supply. After the first shoots appear, watering with warm water is carried out as the soil dries. Young sprouts need 2.5 liters of water per square meter. meter. As the greenery grows, the amount increases to 6.5 liters.
After planting, you need to water cucumbers according to the rules, taking into account their age and stage of development. The watering rate for cucumbers is calculated using the same criteria.
- After the first leaves unfurl, the frequency of watering should be once every 4-5 days. This frequency of watering is maintained until flowering. For 1 sq. m. should use approximately 4.5 liters of water.
- During flowering and formation of ovaries, it is recommended to irrigate the soil every other day. The amount of liquid increases to 8 liters per 1 square meter. m. On hot days, you can moisten the soil daily.
- During active fruiting, the frequency of watering should be reduced. This helps direct all the plant’s forces to the growth and development of fruits. Otherwise, the tops gain strength.
Moisture should not be allowed to get into the green part of the plant, as this increases the risk of rotting. You need to pour water strictly at the root, trying not to wash away the soil, without exposing it root system and the base of the stem.
Watering in combination with fertilizers
Along with watering, the cucumber beds are fed at the same time. At the beginning of the development of a vegetable crop, nitrogen is consumed the most, so 1.5 weeks after planting you need to add ammonium nitrate. During the fruiting period, potassium is actively consumed and therefore it is worth adding potassium nitrate or superphosphate.
Can be applied while watering cucumbers in open ground and organic fertilizers. Rotted chicken droppings or mullein are popular. An infusion of wood ash helps to compensate for the lack of microelements in the soil. It is better to apply fertilizing in the evening.
Root treatment with fertilizers begins after the first pair of leaves unfold. Subsequently, fertilization is repeated every 12-14 days.
For cucumbers, a composition of the following three components works well. Take 15 g of urea, 20 g of potassium sulfate and 25 g of superphosphate. All components are dissolved in 10 liters of water and left to infuse for a couple of hours. Pour the resulting solution over each cucumber bush.
After two weeks, you can use fertilizing based on cow manure. The component is poured with 10 liters of water and left to infuse for about three days. To enhance useful properties it is recommended to add the composition wood ash and superphosphate. Before watering, the solution must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:6.
Exactly the same compositions, only in lower concentrations, can be used for foliar treatment. All nutritional elements absorbed not by the roots, but by the leaves.
A total of four feedings are recommended for the entire growing season. If problems arise with the growth and development of cucumbers, the amount of fertilizing can be increased.
Calendula (marigold) is a flower that stands out among others with its bright color. Low bushes with delicate orange inflorescences can be found on the side of the road, in the meadow, in the front garden next to the house or even in vegetable beds. Calendula is so widespread in our area that it seems like it has always grown here. About interesting decorative varieties calendula, as well as about the use of calendula in cooking and medicine, read our article.
I think many will agree that the wind is well perceived by us only in the romantic aspect: we are sitting in a cozy warm home, and the wind is raging outside the window... In fact, the wind blowing through our areas is a problem and there is nothing good about it. By creating windbreaks with plants, we break strong wind into several weak streams and significantly weaken its destructive power. How to protect a site from the wind will be discussed in this article.
Modern ferns are those rare plants antiquities, which, despite the passage of time and all kinds of cataclysms, not only survived, but were also largely able to preserve their former appearance. Of course, it is not possible to grow any of the fern representatives indoors, but some species have successfully adapted to life indoors. They look great as single plants or decorate a group of decorative foliage flowers.
Pilaf with pumpkin and meat is Azerbaijani pilaf, which differs in the method of preparation from traditional oriental pilaf. All ingredients for this recipe are prepared separately. Rice is boiled with ghee, saffron and turmeric. The meat is fried separately until golden brown, and pumpkin slices as well. Separately prepare the onions and carrots. Then everything is placed in layers in a cauldron or thick-walled pan, a little water or broth is poured in and simmered over low heat for about half an hour.
Basil is wonderful all-purpose seasoning for meat, fish, soups and fresh salads- well known to all lovers of Caucasian and Italian cuisine. However, upon closer inspection, basil turns out to be a surprisingly versatile plant. For several seasons now, our family has been happily drinking aromatic basil tea. In a flowerbed with perennials and in flowerpots with annual flowers, bright spice plant a worthy place was also found.
Thuja or juniper - which is better? This question can sometimes be heard in garden centers and in the market where these plants are sold. It is, of course, not entirely correct and correct. Well, it’s the same as asking what is better - night or day? Coffee or tea? Woman or man? Surely, everyone will have their own answer and opinion. And yet... What if you approach with an open mind and try to compare juniper and thuja according to certain objective parameters? Let's try.
Brown Cream of Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Smoked Bacon is a delicious, smooth and creamy soup that both adults and children will love. If you are preparing a dish for the whole family, including kids, then do not add a lot of spices, although many modern children are not at all against spicy flavors. Bacon for serving can be prepared in different ways - fry in a frying pan, as in this recipe, or bake in the oven on parchment for about 20 minutes at 180 degrees.
For some, the time of sowing seeds for seedlings is a long-awaited and pleasant chores, for some it is a difficult necessity, while others are wondering whether it would be easier to buy ready seedlings at the market or with friends? Be that as it may, even if you gave up growing vegetable crops, for sure, you will still have to sow something. These are flowers and perennials, conifers and much more. A seedling is still a seedling, no matter what you sow.
amateur humid air and one of the most compact and rare orchids pafinia is a real star for most orchid growers. Its flowering rarely lasts longer than a week, but it can be an unforgettable sight. You want to look at the unusual striped patterns on the huge flowers of the modest orchid endlessly. IN indoor culture pafinia is rightly ranked among the difficult-to-grow species. It became fashionable only with the spread of interior terrariums.
Pumpkin ginger marmalade is a warming sweet that can be prepared almost all year round. Pumpkin keeps for a long time - sometimes I manage to save a few vegetables until summer, fresh ginger and lemons are always available these days. Lemon can be replaced with lime or orange to create different flavors - variety in sweets is always nice. The finished marmalade is placed in dry jars; it can be stored at room temperature, but it is always healthier to prepare fresh products.
In 2014, the Japanese company Takii seed introduced petunia with a striking petal color - salmon-orange. By association with bright colors southern sunset sky, the unique hybrid is called African Sunset. Needless to say, this petunia instantly won the hearts of gardeners and was in great demand. But in the last two years, the curiosity has suddenly disappeared from store windows. Where did the orange petunia go?
In our family Bell pepper they love it, that’s why we plant it every year. Most of the varieties that I grow have been tested by me for more than one season; I cultivate them constantly. I also try to try something new every year. Pepper is a heat-loving plant and quite whimsical. Varietal and hybrid varieties of tasty and productive sweet peppers, which grow well for me, will be discussed further. I live in middle lane Russia.
Meat cutlets with broccoli in béchamel sauce - great idea for a quick lunch or dinner. Start by preparing the mince and at the same time heat 2 liters of water to a boil to blanch the broccoli. By the time the cutlets are fried, the cabbage will be ready. All that remains is to collect the ingredients in a frying pan, season with sauce and bring to readiness. Broccoli needs to be cooked quickly to retain its vibrant color. green color, which, when cooked for a long time, either fades or the cabbage turns brown.
Home floriculture- Not only exciting process, but also a very troublesome hobby. And, as a rule, the more experience a grower has, the healthier his plants look. What should those who have no experience but want to have a home do? houseplants- not elongated, stunted specimens, but beautiful and healthy ones, not causing a feeling of guilt with their fading? For beginners and gardeners who are not burdened long experience, I’ll tell you about the main mistakes that are easy to avoid.
Lush cheesecakes in a frying pan with banana-apple confiture - another recipe for everyone’s favorite dish. To prevent cheesecakes from falling off after cooking, remember a few simple rules. Firstly, only fresh and dry cottage cheese, secondly, no baking powder or soda, thirdly, the thickness of the dough - you can sculpt from it, it is not tight, but pliable. Good dough with a small amount of flour you will only get good cottage cheese, but here again see the “firstly” point.
How to extend the supply of fresh cucumbers in late summer - early autumn?
1. Form cucumbers on a vertical trellis: for this, the shoots are tied vertically to supports located in the upper part of the greenhouse and must be distributed in such a way that the top of any shoot is always illuminated as much as possible. The lack of light reaching the top of the plant is one of the reasons for the sterility of the pollen of future flowers. As a result, cucumbers will not produce such flowers.
When the lashes reach the upper part of the support for further growth, they are directed vertically downward, and in no case along the horizontal support of the greenhouse.
2. Stimulate the growth of new shoots and leaves with ovaries. To do this, you should regularly cut out all yellowed leaves, as well as those leaves that are located below the fruiting zone. In this case, you should cut the leaves not to the first green, but a little less, leaving 2-3 leaves before it. The leaves in the fruiting part of the cane bring absolutely no benefit, at the same time absorbing their share of nutrients and creating unnecessary shade. In addition, they prevent the resumption of fruiting in this part of the vine.
3. Fight with all your might against numerous cucumber ailments, using both immunomodulators (immunocytophyte) and biological products such as trichodermin and rhizoplan, and preventive actions, such as watering only warm water around the plant, and not in the root collar area; combating excess moisture (sprinkling ash between plants, installing containers with quicklime, sprinkling the root collar area with crushed charcoal, regular ventilation). Stimulants (epin, silk) will also help.
4. Pest control (usually spider mite and aphids) if they appear. The most effective and safe means The drug "Fitoverm" is used to combat it. Usually, one spraying is enough, and the cucumbers will come to life again. In case of severe damage, spray twice. Before spraying, leaves with very severe damage must be removed and burned.
5. Complete plant nutrition. It is worth especially paying attention to the fact that cucumbers, on the one hand, due to the creation of a powerful leaf apparatus, require considerable doses nitrogen fertilizers(therefore necessary regular feeding mullein). On the other hand, due to our climatic conditions, plants require increased doses potash fertilizers(therefore, from the end of June, and sometimes from the beginning of July, weekly fertilizing with potassium sulfate and ash is needed). When feeding with potassium sulfate, you need to remember that when sunny weather less of it is required, and in damp and cloudy conditions - more. Moreover, it is worth keeping in mind that fertilizers should not be applied all at once, but fed in small doses once a week, otherwise you will only get the opposite effect. In addition, of course, constant feeding in small doses is also needed. complex fertilizers, always with boron and magnesium.
What if the fruit still doesn’t set?
Of course, initially cucumbers, like all other melons, were bee-pollinated plants. But with bees and their substitutes, things are not as good now as they were in the 19th century or even in the mid-20th. It is no coincidence that, back in the middle of the last century, the first cucumber hybrids that did not require pollination were created. And it was a real revolution. And perhaps all this became thanks to parthenocarpy (formation of fruits without pollination) - unusual property, inherent specifically in cucumber. This property was once discovered by Japanese and Chinese scientists, and later breeders took advantage of this knowledge.
And everything would seem to be fine. But there is one very significant “but”. Even in strong parthenocarpics, the degree of manifestation of this property (i.e., the ability to form fruits without this very pollination) varies depending on the growing conditions. First of all, it reduces parthenocarpy:
- lack of light, long cloudy weather;
- overdrying of the soil;
- excess nitrogen fertilizers;
- heat air in the greenhouse.
Therefore, although parthenocarpic cucumber hybrids are capable of setting fruit in the absence of pollination, spraying with fruit formation stimulants should not be neglected. Parthenocarpy depends on the age of the plants and the order of branching. To the least extent, the ability to form fruits without pollination affects the lower nodes of the main stem, and to a greater extent - in the middle and upper nodes of the stem, as well as on lateral shoots. This factor also does not hurt to take into account when forming cucumber plants.
As practice shows, in our harsh conditions it is quite difficult to fight nature (high humidity, high temperature, temperature changes, etc.), and there are situations when it is completely useless.
This, of course, does not mean at all that everything should be left to chance, far from it. All the factors listed above, of course, also need to be carefully monitored. But we can’t change everything. Let us dwell on those points to which you need to pay, whenever possible, your close attention.
1. Take all possible measures to maintain optimal temperature. In our conditions, it is realistic to raise the temperature to spring period plant plants only on warm ridges, cover the soil with film or covering material, use stone and bottle mulch (simply laying out large stones or dark, water-filled plastic bottles, which heat up during the day and give off their heat to plants at night). During the hot period, it is necessary to organize the maximum possible ventilation of greenhouses and greenhouses so that the temperature in them does not rise above 28...29°C. Doors and windows must be open during hot periods.
2. As for illumination, all that remains is to choose the most illuminated area for greenhouses and greenhouses and form the plants taking into account the available light space. This means that if there is an additional illuminated piece in the greenhouse, then you can leave the stepchild that you like most in it, but if not, then it is only possible to radically remove it. Moreover, for all greenhouse plants without exception, it is true that their tops should be located exclusively in the light. Therefore, it is necessary, by hook or by crook, to extract them from the space they have chosen and direct them to the light. Otherwise, there will subsequently be no fruits on such tops.
3. Carry out timely and sufficient watering. This position, I think, requires no comment.
4. In order to reduce high humidity in greenhouses and greenhouses (namely, high rather than low humidity, as a rule, occurs in our country) it is necessary to mandatory carry out intensive ventilation of greenhouses and greenhouses, even on completely gray and rainy days. Naturally, when it rains, you should only have one side of the greenhouse open and one of the doors of the greenhouse, opposite the one from which rain can enter the greenhouse. And under no circumstances should the plants be watered in the evening, but in the daytime or even better in the morning, so that the moisture has time to be absorbed and the air humidity decreases.
5. Constantly monitor the sufficiency of plant nutrition and, at the slightest sign of a lack of anything, immediately take timely measures. At the same time, we should not forget that all the modern hybrids we plant belong to intensive crops, and, therefore, on the one hand, they require the application of constant increased doses of fertilizers, and on the other, strictly fractional nutrition, i.e. applying fertilizer in parts, and not all at once. You need to remember it as an axiom: if you regularly fertilize, then many problems associated with pollination will disappear by themselves.
6. Carry out thorough prevention against the appearance of diseases and pests.
7. Take possible measures to ensure pollination of plants. In watermelons, pumpkins, melons and zucchini, this is hand pollination. In cucumbers - growing self-pollinating hybrids. And the most important thing, and this applies to all the above-mentioned crops without exception, is spraying them with fruit formation stimulants. Therefore, starting from the moment the plants begin to flower, it is necessary once every two weeks (with bad weather it is possible every week) to spray with fruit formation stimulants - preparations "Gibbersib", "Ovary" or "Bud", which will ensure almost complete pollination in any weather conditions.
Does it matter how and when to pick cucumbers?
Since time immemorial, there has been a basic rule for picking cucumbers: “The more often you pick cucumbers, the more they grow.” Don't wait for them to grow to the size of a shoe; collect them when they are very small. Believe me, do the experiment and you will see that total harvest with this option the collection will be much higher. In addition, if you want to get high-quality greens, collect them only in the morning, while it is not yet hot. Previously, peasants in Rus' collected them at sunrise. And maybe that’s why Nezhin cucumbers were famous throughout Europe. I try to follow this rule and pick cucumbers every morning, around 6-7-8 am, depending on the weather. If the day is supposed to be hot, then you need to pick the cucumbers early, and if not, then you can get some sleep.
Canning cucumbers
One of the popular options for preserving cucumbers - pickling - is not possible for all housewives. For some reason, pickled cucumbers do not like to stand and explode, and housewives blame both the cucumbers themselves for this (it is widely believed that salad cucumbers explode) and the salt. In fact, neither one nor the other is the cause of explosions. Salad cucumbers can be pickled (I personally resorted to this more than once when, due to unfavorable circumstances pickling cucumbers was not enough). And salt has nothing to do with it at all - you need to buy the salt that your adapted recipe is aimed at, and simply because a tablespoon (which is used in recipes as a measure) includes different quantities coarse and fine salt. In general, all recipes are given, as a rule, based on coarse salt.
Let’s dwell on the reasons for failures during pickling, and consider not only the reasons for explosions, but also the reasons for cucumbers that are simply not tasty and crisp enough, which is also relevant.
The main reasons for failures when pickling cucumbers
1. Large, overgrown cucumbers will never be crispy and tasty, so why not less cucumbers for pickling, so much the better.
2. It’s better not to pickle salad cucumbers - you can (at the greens stage) make them lightly salted. If you pickled them (meaning, of course, greens), then you will have to come to terms with the fact that the middles of the pickled cucumbers will be empty, and they will not have the same crunch as pickled cucumbers.
3. If the cucumbers were not washed well enough, and you need to thoroughly wash the slightest depressions on their surface with a cloth, then this is a complete guarantee that the jars will explode. As a matter of fact, this is the only reason for explosions, the second can only be the lack of salt in the brine if you forgot to put it.
Svetlana Shlyakhtina, Ekaterinburg
Cucumber is one of the most popular inhabitants of our gardens. It is grown even where, it would seem, nothing can be obtained. But hotbeds and greenhouses make it possible to grow less heat-loving crops. The main thing is compliance with agricultural technology, timely collection and storage of cucumbers. Then positive results will not keep you waiting.
When to collect?
It is useless to argue about when to pick cucumbers. There are as many opinions as there are gardeners who grow them. It’s easier to say than to guide what you should pay attention to when determining the readiness of fruits for harvesting. Typically this is:
Degree of maturity;
- size;
- purpose of the harvest.
Usually the fruits of this crop are collected and used for food when unripe. That’s what they call them – greens. A ripe cucumber is good only for seeds. Although the national cuisines of some nationalities also find use for the so-called “yellows” - overgrown cucumbers with rough skin. In our country, young, crispy cucumbers with still underdeveloped seeds have always been considered the best.
Cucumbers can be harvested at different stages of their development. It all depends on what they are intended for. IN fresh use fruits that have reached a size of 10 cm or more. Greens are canned, from 8 to 10 cm long, and salted - up to 18 cm. For special purposes, smaller cucumbers are sometimes collected - almost ovaries, 3 - 4 cm long. In addition, one cannot fail to take into account that the size of the fruit depends on the variety , and on the method of cultivation, and on the nutrient content of the soil in which they grow.
Cleaning frequency
All opinions agree on only one thing: cleaning should be done regularly, without waiting for the fruit to outgrow. At favorable conditions- every two days or more often, depending on the size of greens you need to get. Being late often leads to disastrous results - cucumbers not only become rougher and larger, but their development speed decreases. There are simply fewer fruits on the vines, and their filling is delayed.
This is explained very simply. All the strength, all nutrients The plant directs, first of all, the development of fruits that have already set and begun to grow. New ovaries have to wait their turn. And whether they will wait, or will dry out and fall off ahead of time is still a question. When collection is carried out 1 - 2 times a week, it is enough a large number of established greenlings die due to the fact that they simply do not have enough food. By removing those that are already full, you can stimulate the development of new cucumbers. All gardeners who deal with them know: only timely harvesting allows you to get a full harvest.
How to collect?
The best time for collection is considered to be early morning or late evening, when the greens become most elastic. Separation should be done not by plucking with your hands, but by cutting with a knife or pruning shears. And so that the stalks remain on the vines. You cannot pull, pull or twist them, so as not to injure the lashes and roots. For the same reason, you should try not to turn over leaves and vines while harvesting.
The collected fruits need protection from wind and sunlight - you should immediately place them in a cool place or at least cover them with burlap, but not with film.
Storage methods
It is difficult to keep cucumbers fresh. Thick-skinned varieties may last a little longer. But even at room temperature, already on the second day they lose most of their taste and taste. useful qualities. Reduced temperature helps preserve them and high humidity, preventing withering. 6 – 8 °C with air humidity from 85 to 95% are considered optimal. The easiest way to do this is in the refrigerator.
Zelentsy are placed in a dense plastic bag, which is not tied, and placed on the bottom shelf of an ordinary household refrigerator. It should not be sealed. Otherwise, after 2 - 3 days the fruits will begin to “suffocate” and become tasteless. Simply cover the bag with a damp cloth.
If stored in a cellar, instead of bags, boxes or trays are suitable, in which it is advisable to lay film. Such storage will ensure required humidity and will delay the evaporation of water from the fruit. You can also use for these purposes enamel dishes- ordinary saucepans with lids.
When you don’t have to store cucumbers for long, you can simply place them in water, like a bouquet, with the stems down. Water should cover only the very bottom parts of the greens and the stalk, which in this case are deliberately left long. It is advisable to change the water daily.
You can preserve cucumbers longer if you place them in glass jar along with grated or chopped horseradish. To do this, they are first washed boiled water and dry, being careful not to damage the skin. The jars are pre-heated in the oven or air fryer. Add horseradish to the bottom in a layer of about 2 cm, and cucumbers on top. The jars filled in this way are closed with scalded plastic lids. And even better - lids for vacuum canning, while simultaneously pumping out the air through them. The finished jars are placed in a cool and dark place.
From mid-summer to country gardens, as a rule, the active period of ripening of the “green and pimply” crop begins.
Therefore, we think that it will be useful for novice summer residents, and even those who have only recently started growing this crop, to find out how the correct picking cucumbers when, and most importantly, how this process should be carried out in order to obtain a sufficient quantity both for pickling for the winter and for eating fresh or lightly salted cucumbers.And this can most likely be done only if simple rules and producing regular cleaning ripened fruits.
When to pick cucumbers from the garden
Any experienced gardener A cucumber grower has his own opinion about the time of harvest. But, despite the prevailing beliefs, an experienced vegetable grower, when picking a cucumber, as a rule, pays attention to its size and maturity. Indeed, depending on the purpose of the collected fruits, these criteria may change.
In our kitchen, crispy young cucumbers with still unformed seeds are especially valued. That’s what they’re called – greenies. But a ripe cucumber can be used, perhaps, only for seeds or animal feed. True, some peoples in dishes national cuisine Ripe fruits with hard skin, the so-called “yellows,” are also successfully used.
Considering the subsequent purpose of the crop, cucumbers can be harvested at various stages of their development. For fresh consumption, choose fruits measuring 10 cm or larger.
For canning, small greens from 8 to 10 cm are useful. For pickling, you can use cucumbers up to 18 cm in size. Some recipes require very small cucumbers, 3-4 cm long. Do not forget that the size of the fruit is influenced by the characteristics of the variety, method of cultivation, soil composition and quality of watering.
Frequency of cucumber harvesting
The fruits should not be allowed to overgrow, and therefore cucumbers should be harvested regularly. Availability of new fruits required sizes, it is worth checking every two days, and possibly more often. Untimely harvesting can have a detrimental effect on the result: cucumbers become disproportionately large and rough, and their growth rate is significantly reduced.
As a result of irregular cucumber harvesting, the number and size of the resulting fruits are significantly reduced. There is a simple explanation for this phenomenon. The plant mobilizes the main forces and necessary nutrients for the formation of already formed and growing cucumbers. New ovaries are waiting for their turn and may not wait for it, drying up at the very beginning, if the ripe harvest is not harvested. Thus, by stimulating the development of new fruits, full yield can be obtained.
How to pick cucumbers correctly
Early morning or late evening are optimal for picking cucumbers. At this time, the greens become more elastic due to the abundance of moisture. You should not pinch off the fruits with your fingers; it is better to use a knife or pruning shears for this purpose. In this case, the stalks must be left on the vines. To avoid damaging the plant and roots, try not to tug or pull them when harvesting, and do not turn over the leaves.
Harvested cucumbers must be protected from wind and sun. It is best to immediately transfer them to a cool place or cover them with a cloth. But how to store fresh cucumbers is a topic perhaps no less important than harvesting cucumbers.