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Grow Cukes With A Lemon Twist
It’s that time of year when garden catalogs entice you with new varieties to grow. The lemon cucumber recently caught our attention.
Believed to originate from India or the Middle East in the 16th Century, the variety has been in the U.S. since the late 1800’s and is most noted for its round shape and yellow color. The name is based on that, but it doesn’t have a lemon taste. It has a mild, sweet flavor with a cool, crispy texture.
In reviews, gardeners say they love the flavor, and that the variety has good yields. Many warn, however, that the cucumbers should be harvested before they get too big. When they are fully grown, about the size of a tennis ball, the skins get tough and the seeds are big and hard, according to reviewers. Instead, pick them when they are the size of ping-pong balls and mostly green when the skin is tender enough to eat.
Growing them is similar to other cucumber varieties. Plant seeds 36 to 60-in. apart on hills in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Keep the soil moist, at least an inch/week. They are ready to harvest in about 70 days.
Lemon cucumbers can be eaten plain or pickled and used in a variety of recipes. Many garden catalogs carry them, such as www.johnnyseeds.com (ph 877-564-6697).


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2022 - Volume #46, Issue #2