Parade - This Russian variety is very early and produces a heavy set of uniform 2 x 5 inch fruit that matures at the same time. Known for its processing quality and resistance to weather extremes.
Key Features
- Unique Variety: Melon that behaves like a cucumber.
- Thin Skin and Mild Flesh: Light citric flavor with sweetness.
- Heirloom: Rare and highly regarded slicing cucumber.
Cucumber Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow cucumber seeds outdoors after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed to at least 70°F, typically in late spring or early summer.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Cucumbers thrive in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 8–10 inches and incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep, spacing 2–3 seeds in small hills or mounds, 12–18 inches apart. Thin to one healthy plant per mound after seedlings emerge.
- Space mounds about 3 feet apart for bush varieties and 4–6 feet apart for vining varieties.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7–10 days. Once established, water deeply at the base of the plant, especially during flowering and fruit development.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start cucumber seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last expected frost date.
- Containers: Use biodegradable pots or deep containers to reduce root disturbance when transplanting.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep, placing 1–2 seeds per pot.
- Cover lightly with soil mix and water gently.
- Germination:
- Maintain a temperature of 70–85°F for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 5–7 days.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperatures reach at least 70°F and all risk of frost has passed. Space plants 12–18 inches apart in mounds 3–6 feet apart, depending on the variety.
General Care Tips for Cucumbers
- Sunlight: Provide full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Watering: Water deeply and regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
- Fertilizing: Cucumbers are medium to heavy feeders. Enrich soil with compost at planting and side-dress with a balanced fertilizer when plants begin to flower and set fruit.
- Weeding: Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture. Mulching helps control weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
- Supporting Vines: For vining cucumber varieties, provide a trellis or support to save space and improve air circulation, reducing the risk of disease. Bush varieties do not require support.
