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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2012 8:31:05 GMT -5
This is my second year gardening, and I'm using the raised beds method. Last year was pretty much a failure. I'm in the DFW area of TX, and between the drought, the heat, and me not having a clue I really didn't get much of anything to produce. I am trying to grow pickling cukes again this year, and it seems like I'm running into the same issue. The plants get 10 or 12 inches tall, and are covered in flowers, but that's it. They don't get bigger, they don't produce cukes, and their leaves are small - about 2" across. I've been fertilizing, and I water daily but do they take a LOT of water? We haven't had rain for a couple of weeks, so they haven't been drenched lately. I've heard stories about cucumbers growing like crazy and getting huge, but it's just not happening. I appreciate all suggestions!
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Post by daylilydude on May 25, 2012 8:47:21 GMT -5
Howdy txwannabegardener, I had the same problem last year with my cukes, but this year they are doing great... I water them more often than I did last year because as you know a raised bed drains a lil faster than a regular garden hence more watering, hope this helps!
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Post by Laura_in_FL on May 25, 2012 8:52:00 GMT -5
You could also try mulching them to conserve water and keep the roots cool.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2012 10:57:25 GMT -5
Are they getting at least 6 hours of sun? Fertilize when they start to run-don't let them get to the point of wilting when you water-and water heavily (not enough water makes bitter cukes). Mine usually flower heavily when first starting to vine, then the babies will start coming in.
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izzy
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Post by izzy on May 25, 2012 12:01:09 GMT -5
Hi TxWannabe,
This is your first post here, so Welcome to the site!
I'm waaaaaay down south of you in Corpus Christi, so my dates are about 4-6 weeks ahead of you, but I wonder when you sowed the seed? In Texas we have a very small window of opportunity for sowing most seed - between the last frost date and the commencement of "The Furnace". Cucumbers are quite sensitive to our heat. You would want to time it so that the plants are big enough to support a crop and bloom and get pollinated while the weather is still mild - in the 70 - 85 range. Once your days are in the nineties, their days are numbered. Many crops fall within this narrow window of opportunity for pollination.
A word on raised beds in Texas
Many people love raised beds, and there are many reasons they make sense. I, otoh, do not like them. I've tried several times, but they cause more problems for me than they solve. Raised beds do two things: improve drainage and warm the soil. Neither of these things are good for me. If you are not getting enough rain (and I know I don't down here), then you have to water a lot. Raised beds require even more water because they dry out so much quicker. Often times, I plant in ditches to increase moisture retention, and as things grow, I add lots of mulch to help keep the soil cool. That might not be the right solution for you, but it gives you something to consider depending on your soil and local conditions.
An Alternative
In the diaries section you'll find "Gardening at the Dawg Pound", by TXDirtDog. He has great success with Armenian Cucumbers every spring that last long through the summer - and one of these days I'm gonna try them. I'm sure he'll be around to offer some good tips. His diary can provide many good clues for gardening in Texas. My diary, Backyard Pantry, pushes the boundaries a bit - always trying to see how far I can stray from the norm - all in good fun. Hope you have fun with your garden this summer, and have some great tales to tell us of your first harvests.
edit: everyone else already answered your q's because I'm a really slow typer!! But welcome anyway.
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Post by gulfcoastguy on May 25, 2012 12:27:14 GMT -5
Izzy beat me to Armenian cukes. Poona Kheera can take heat pretty well but it does need water .
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2012 12:29:39 GMT -5
Thank you all for the great information. I see versions of my mistakes in all of the replies (not enough water, not enough mulch, possibly shaded by the tomatoes). I think I planted end of Feb or early March...I jumped the gun and took a chance on the weather, to try to beat the heat. I will make a few changes to try to salvage them, but the heat might have caught me anyway. I appreciate the suggestion of the Armenian cukes, but I really wanted to make pickles! Are the Armenians aka snake melons? If so, I was told snake melons are sweet...would small ones make good pickles?
I am also going to rework my garden setup this winter to make the beds deeper, but maybe I should dig down rather than go higher? Just kicking around ideas right now. (Our ground is very rocky clay, until it rains and then it's black gumbo.)
It's great to get advice and personal experiences from people dealing with the same environmental challenges! I'm having a wonderful time with my garden, I just don't have a lot to show for my efforts. Hopefully that will change!
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Post by gulfcoastguy on May 25, 2012 14:31:01 GMT -5
Try planting daikon radishes in the bed this fall and don't harvest them just mow the tops off and let the roots rot. Even in clay they can go deep trying to break it up. When the roots rot the earth worms will tunnel in to eat them further loosening the clay.
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Post by txdirtdog on May 25, 2012 21:23:49 GMT -5
Hi txwannabegardener, welcome to NJT!
Looks like folks have you covered pretty well on suggestions for regular cukes - and some good advice it is. I never was able to grow regular cukes to satisfaction, so I went sideways at the problem with the Armenian cuke.
So I'll just expand a little on the Armenian cukes. I think the Armenian is the same as the Snake melon, but I'm not 100% positive. The Armenian is a melon, that is why it can continue producing in the heat and never gets bitter. I wouldn't call the flavor "sweet". It is not 100% cucumber flavor, but it is darn close to it. I usually harvest at about 18 inches. That way it doesn't need to have the skin peeled. You could still eat a bigger one with the skin, but the skin gets thicker and a little more chewy.
I have never canned pickles from the Armenian, but last year I started making a refrigerator garlic-dill pickle with it that we just couldn't get enough of. Everyone that tried it said it was a really good pickle. Unfortunately refrigerator pickles should not be kept for more than a few weeks, so that didn't take care of my winter need for pickles. This year I do intend to can some pickles using the Armenian. I might try using some allum or grape leaves to help keep the crunch. I'll have to research that soon, as the Armenians in my garden are just starting to set fruit.
Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck on the pickle front.
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littleminnie
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Post by littleminnie on May 25, 2012 21:36:34 GMT -5
For 3 years I couldn't get cukes to do well at my field but used to grow picklers at home. Super Zagross has done very well. I have found they like afternoon shade and did well between my tomato rows. My first crop produced really well last year but the second crop in later summer looked even better. So it seems they like to be planted late. So you can put a second crop in.
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2012 11:19:09 GMT -5
Hi txwannabegardener,
I am right here with you in the DFW area. I try growing cucs every year not pickling but regular. I usually get about 1 or 2 off my plant. I have an in ground garden not a raised bed. So far this year I planted multiple plants in a hilled up row think they are poinsette and they are growing very well. I am however just seeing the female flowers showing up I planted in mid March to beat the heat. My plants are not much bigger than a foot long either. My leaves are bigger though but that could be the difference in the type I am growing. I wish you luck with yours I have a few I can tell pollinated and are actually growing straight.
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peppero
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Post by peppero on May 27, 2012 8:52:54 GMT -5
i have had the same problems with squash and cukes in having plenty of blossoms but of the male kind. i sought answers from experts and other experts but none had any sure fire answer. if they dont put out female blossoms you are not going to get any fruit and no one had an answer as to how to get any female blossoms. this year i planted the same stuff followed my usual preparations :)and lo and behold i got squash(more in one week than all last season) and have cucumbers. go figure. i still would like to have the answer! jon
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izzy
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Post by izzy on May 30, 2012 23:23:25 GMT -5
Got to thinking of this thread when I saw this recipe: 14 Day Sun Pickles www.cookingwithk.net/2011/06/14-day-sun-pickles-grannys-recipe.htmlAnd I bet they are goooood (sun tea is so much better than boiled water tea). Bet these don't get mushy either. Only thing is - she don't tell us how they grew those cucumbers in the summertime in Texas. |
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Post by daylilydude on May 31, 2012 1:38:19 GMT -5
Now you just know I'll have to try these, Thanks for the recipe izzy!!
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2012 8:42:40 GMT -5
What a perfect recipe! I'll be trying this too...as soon as I can get some cukes. I did increase the watering on my plants and have gotten one small cuke. And then the chickens broke some of the plants (looks like they were laying in the damp soil). Dang it! But now I have great advice and new things to try next time. Thank you all!
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