by SUZANNE GRIFFITH

CULTIVATING CUCUMBERS is most certainly not for the faint of heart, as even I, with the best of intentions, have never been successful at growing them.

To that end I decided to do a little research in the hope of ensuring that my upcoming attempt at cultivating cucumbers is more fruitful than those in the past.

Cucumbers prefer full sun, consistent and even watering, and a healthy dose of compost or organic fertilisers at regular intervals.

Cucumber vines are easily propagated from seed, and will germinate rapidly in as little as five days, reaching full maturity and yielding fruit 50 to 70 days later.

Seeds can either be directly sown into your garden, or carefully transplanted from seedling pots paying careful attention to protecting the delicate root structures. When directly sowing, plant seeds in small hills in groups of three, allowing for a 12-inch space between hills.

As the seedlings emerge, thin each cluster to the single strongest plant. Avoid pulling the plants that you are thinning out by the stem. Instead, gently snip them at the base to avoid damaging the root structure of the remaining plant.

As cucumber vines carry both female and male flowers, the presence of helpful bees to do the work of pollination is essential for fruit production. As the vines begin to bear fruit keep in mind that the watering requirements change.

A harvested cucumber is nearly 90 per cent water; an under-irrigated fruit will be stunted and bitter. Keep a record of your irrigation patterns from the germination stage, doubling the quantities of water provided as the fruits begin to grow

Consider mulching to aid in moisture retention, and avoid getting water on the leaves as it can increase the risk of diseases that affect the plant.

Interestingly, vining varieties will likely produce a more significant, and better quality yield, if provided with a trellis as opposed to the more traditional, and space intensive, method of allowing the vines to spread along the ground.

Train the vine up the trellis of your choice, carefully securing it every12 to 18 inches with a cloth or twine tie. Trellising improves air circulation around the vine, reducing instances of mildew.

A trellised vine can also provide some much-needed shade for other more delicate crops below, while the fruit is up off the ground, cleaner and ideally out of the reach of hungry pests.

An upcoming instalment of this column will look at diseases and pests that affect cucumber vines and strategies for combating them.

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