Cukes you are growing this year

[rnewste]

Hey George,

What are you doing up this late back on the East Coast?

Yeah, I don't want to have to be feeding the vines back into the narrow tomato cages each day, to train them vertically, but I may have no choice. Would be kind of interesting to see how cucumbers do in an EarthTainer system, Snow Peas do great, so I was hoping cukes would do equally well. We will see....

Raybo

[John3]

Raybo might consider National Pickling or Boston Pickling for Bread and Butter pickles. And grow another for fresh eating. Myself I like the pickling ones fresh and pickled seems to have more of a crisp when munched on and nice flavor - growing both this year.

[John3]

As far as something for them to grow on check this out
http://my.gardenguides.com/forums/topic/68090
put the used tree into the ground and place the tainer in front and band it to the used tree and let twine it.

[rnewste]

Got to contact my friend Damon (sprtsguy) so see if he has any extra National Pickling plants. I don't think local Nurseries would carry specialized plants like this...

Raybo

[John3]

Have no plants but I can get some seeds from the feed and seed stores here (if they haven't sold out) check with Damon then let me know - I find them easy to start.

Raybo thinking a little on this - might be a good Biota Max use - if it works the tree should hold the cucumber production.

[duajones]

Basic recipe for a quart

4-5 pickling cukes cut into spears( I wash them real good and then usually soak them in ice water for an hour or so) I also cut off the blossom end

1 cup vinegar
1.5 TBSP pickling salt
1 tsp mustard seed
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 TBSP dill seed
1 tsp pickling spice (optional)
1 tsp celery seed (optional)
Sugar I sometimes add anywhere from 1 to 4 TBSP or none at all

Heat the vinegar and spices until close to boiling and reduce heat.

Fresh garlic cloves minced (add as much as you like)
Fresh dill ( fresh from the garden if you have it, if not one bunch from the store)

I start with half the dill in the bottom of the jar along with half the garlic. Then put as many spears into the jar as you can fit. Top with remaining dill and garlic and pour hot vinegar solution into the jar. Then I top it with enough distilled water to fill the jar. Put the lid on and let sit to room temperature. Pop it in the fridge and wait. I try to swirl the jars a couple times a day to distribute the spices.
I normally let them sit at least two weeks before tasting and they stay good in the fridge for several weeks although they never last that long at my house.

You can change this recipe up to your liking but I always use at least 3/4 cup of vinegar and 1.5 TBSP salt.
For sliced pickles I normally use 3/4 cup vinegar.
You can add some fresh peppers if you want some heat or add a little red pepper flakes.
You can also use different vinegar like rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Add a little coriander seed or throw in a bay leaf instead of the pickling spice.
basically just experiment until you find something you really like

[geeboss]

Thanks for the recipe can't wait to try it out this year!

George

[duajones]

Cool Breeze would be another good choice for a pickling cuke.

[frozengirl]

Cool breeze did well for us last year. Very crisp with manageable vines that produced from frost to frost.

[rnewste]

At the moment, I'm limited to what the local Nursery has on hand. Just came home with a Cucumber "Pickling", and Cucumber "Burpless". Not much selection although I asked the store Manager about "Diva" and he said he will order a couple of flats for next year.

Any comments on the two I bought?

thanks,

Raybo

[roper2008]

Well I managed to do a trade for some poona kheera to add to my list. Even
have enough for next year. I hope I like it. Right now they are just baby
seedlings. As for Diva, I order from Johnny's every year. That will be on my
list. Duajones, thanks for the recipe. I bought a dill pickle mix at the grocery
store last year, but I didn't like it. I will try yours this summer.

[tjg911]

Originally Posted by rnewste

At the moment, I'm limited to what the local Nursery has on hand. Just came home with a Cucumber "Pickling", and Cucumber "Burpless". Not much selection although I asked the store Manager about "Diva" and he said he will order a couple of flats for next year.

Any comments on the two I bought?

thanks,

Raybo

i think that the name is probably a generic description not an actual variety.

[John3]

Ditto tig911's post

Originally Posted by tjg911

i think that the name is probably a generic description not an actual variety.

At the moment, I'm limited to what the local Nursery has on hand. Just came home with a Cucumber "Pickling", and Cucumber "Burpless". Not much selection although I asked the store Manager about "Diva" and he said he will order a couple of flats for next year.

Any comments on the two I bought?

thanks,

Raybo

You say Raybo pickling - I might would try them for bread N butter pickles and the burpless for fresh eating and salads - if the pickling has the munch crunch (crisp) like a national or boston you might like them for fresh eating and salads. If you find the seeds at a feed and seed store make sure to get the untreated ones.

[rnewste]

Guys,

Here are the labels that were in the containers:



Raybo

[Homegrownsnob]

Hello;
I am growing Green Knight Hybrid, Tasty Green Hybrid this year and have for the past 6 years. I always have an abundance.My wife requires large amounts cucumber salad over the Summer and if she is pregnant MORE so. Also going to try to make some pickles this year (half sours).
Trying Muncher and Alibi for the Pickles. Wanted to try Rocky but the seed seemed expensive. Varities that I did nt like or had bad luck with are Green Dragon Hybrid, Bush Master and Asian. WILL try Diva next year.