cucumber

Cucumbers thrive in tropical gardens as they grow well in hot weather as a delicious and nutritious crop with many benefits for good health and as a beauty aid. There are over 100 varieties of cucumbers. Be sure to choose varieties to plant that are disease resistant. Suyo Long variety is recommended as it is delicious while being heat tolerant and powdery mildew resistant.

Botanic name: Cucumis sativus, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family

Sun exposure: When choosing a location to grow cucumbers be sure to plant where there is full sun

Soil type: Not too sandy or too heavy clay-like soil. Cucumbers grow best in a rich loamy soil with lots of composted manure and rock dust fertilizer

pH: 6-7 Slighty acidic to neutral

How to plant: Cucumber seeds have two core varieties, bush or climbing. It is best to grow the climbing variety on a trellis or fence that has been secured in place before the cucumber seeds are planted. Put the trellis about six inches from where you plant the seeds. Dawn Dean, author of 'Gardening in Southern Belize', recommends planting one seed every six inches along the trellis or fence. If you are planting cucumbers on the ground, plant 3 or 4 plants in a 3' x 3' area.

Cucumbers require lots of watering, but make sure the roots are not sitting in soil that is too wet. To avoid many of the insect and plant diseases, cucumbers are safer to grow in a green house. About 6-7 weeks after planting the seeds, small cucumbers begin to form on the vine. They grow rapidly. It is best to keep a continual harvest once the plants are productive. Be sure to cut the cucumbers off the vine with garden clippers or a sharp knife.

Pests: Cucumbers are susceptible to aphids, cucumber beetles, squash borers and powdery mildew. A weak solution of 1 tsp. dish soap mixed into a quart of water and sprayed on the plants is said to deter insects. Bugs may also be picked off and deposited in a container of water with a few ounces of citrus oil cleaner added. Banana and citrus peels scattered under the plants is said to prevent aphids.

Nutritional information: Cucumbers are very nourishing. They contain magnesium, potassium, silica, antioxidants and fiber and have many health benefits as they are good for digestion, help prevent heart disease, and the peels help create a balance in blood sugar for diabetics.

Beauty aid: Placing cucumber slices over your eyes can sooth and refresh your eyes. In case of sunburn cucumbers can be whizzed in a blender with ice water and gently patted on sunburn.

An easy recipe for refrigerator cucumber pickles from the Farmers Almanac. (You can access gardening information free by signing up online to the Farmers Almanac.)

6-8 cucumbers (approx 8 cups sliced)

2 bell peppers sliced

2 onions sliced

1 tablespoon salt

2 tsp. celery seed

2 tsp. mustard seed

1 cup sugar (recipe calls for 2 cups)

2 cups cider vinegar

In a bowl combine sliced cucumber, bell pepper, onions; sprinkle with salt and set aside for about one hour, then drain (do not rinse).

In another bowl combine celery seed and mustard seed with sugar and vinegar, then pour over the cucumber, pepper and onion mixture. Gently blend together and place in jars in refrigerator. The pickles can be eaten right away, but are much better after one week. They will keep for 1-2 months in the refrigerator.

Cool-as-a-cucumber beverage

A healthy, attractive and refreshing beverage can be made by placing 3-4 slices of cucumber in a glass and adding cold water, let sit a few moments and enjoy.