Creative CUCUMBERS

Last summer at RHS Garden Harlow Carr we decided to do something different by showcasing a range of different cultivars of cucumbers in the Kitchen Garden glasshouse. Rather than growing a wider range of crops together, we concentrated on providing the ideal indoor environment for cucumbers to thrive.

Cucumbers belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes pumpkins and courgettes. Originating in hot climates, plants in this family thrive in well-drained, humus-rich soil. Cucumbers, once established, put on rapid growth, providing a crop that’s full of flavour.

GROWING CUCUMBER

Cucumber seeds are planted on their sides to reduce the risk of rotting, at a depth of 1cm. Often cucumber seeds are