How to Properly Pick a Cucumber?

[EarlyBird]

All,

This is perhaps the most basic question you'll ever find here, but being such a newbie I need to ask: once a cucumber is ready to be picked, how should it be picked?


Do I just pull it off, twist it off, cut the stem holding it off?

I figure that if I do it wrong I may keep a new cucumber from growing in it's place, or damage the plant, or something.

Is there a "proper" way to going about it? Thanks! I'm a bit embarrassed, but there you go!

[BigVanVader]

I use scissors myself. But I do pull em sometimes. I dont think it matters much tbh.

[EarlyBird]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

I use scissors myself. But I do pull em sometimes. I dont think it matters much tbh.

Thanks. Should I cut the stem, or take it from the stem?

[daylilydude]

I've always just pulled out my trusty pocket knife and cut the stem... but that's just me.

[ginger2778]

Sometimes I just torque the fruit bending it away from the stem and it comes right off. Don't forget to wrap it in plastic so it doesn't dry out, it will stay crisp longer.

[Worth1]

I shootem off with a shotgun.
Worth

[clkeiper]

if you are using them immediately pulling them off is fine, but clipping or cutting is better if you are storing them.
I think Worth is pulling your leg... don't fall for it..

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I shootem off with a shotgun.
Worth

LOL

[BigVanVader]

Ok then I just give mine a mean look and they jump into the bag

[clkeiper]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Ok then I just give mine a mean look and they jump into the bag

oy vey!

[EarlyBird]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I shootem off with a shotgun.
Worth

That's efficient!

[BigVanVader]

You aint had a good cucumber till ya had one with some buckshot in it

[oakley]

My overlooked missed giant zucchini gets my target practice buckshot. (or the pink
bb gun).
My precious cucumbers are cut gently with a sharp blade, harvested small.
Rarely miss one but if so i can cut in half and send it airborne in the clay shooter.

[Worth1]

I usually have a red wasp nest in my picking area so I do as little disturbance as possible so as not to irritate them.

[leRoyESQ]

I just bust them off where the stem meets the fruit.