Seeds Of Change Sumter Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Perfect for pickling, this disease resistant cucumber variety produces blocky, slightly tapered, medium green fruit with white spines. Widely adapted for growing in all regions.

GROWING GUIDE

GROW GUIDE CONDITIONS:
Cucumbers are a frost sensitive, warm season crop, but since they mature quickly they can be grown in regions with short summers. They grow best on fertile, light soils with a pH of 5.8–6.7. Drip irrigation is preferable. Asian varieties must be trellised to produce straight fruit.

GROW GUIDE SEED:
Cucumbers are almost always direct seeded, but can also be started indoors. Direct seed when soil temperatures reach 65–70°F and all danger of frost has passed; ½–¾ inch deep, 3 seeds grouped together every 18–24 inches, allowing 36–48 inches between rows. Thin to one plant per spot. To start indoors, fill 4 inch pots with a sterile seed staring mix. Plant 2 seeds per pot and thin to one plant by snipping off the weaker seedling at the soil level. Harden-off seedlings for 5–7 days prior to transplanting. Cucumbers do not like having their roots disturbed, so transplant outside carefully after all danger of frost has passed and weather is warm and settled.

GROW GUIDE PESTS:
Practice 3 year crop rotations among all Cucurbit family crops (cucumbers, melons and squash) and choose disease resistant varieties (see product descriptions). Spray young seedlings with insecticidal soap, pyrethrins and neem oil or cover with floating row cover to prevent cucumber beetle damage and the Bacterial Wilt they can vector, but uncover plants during flowering for pollination. Avoid overhead irrigation and mulch to reduce incidence of Powdery and Downy Mildew. Control aphids and use disease resistant varieties to prevent Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV).

GROW GUIDE HARVEST:
Harvest by cutting fruit from the vines. Keep regularly picked and remove old fruit to encourage continuous fruit set. Cucumbers are best eaten fresh, but may be stored at 50–55°F for about a week. Chilling damage may occur at temperatures below 45°F so cucumbers don’t usually keep well in the refrigerator.