A mature cucmber.

Debbie thought this would make a good topic. Keeping "cool as a cucumber" is a pleasant thought on a hot summer day. Cucumbers originally came from India and due to centuries of cultivation there are several different types.

However there are two basic groupings of this crop: picklers and slicers. The picklers are usually shorter and often harvested immature. These are often super producers. Slicers are often 8 inches or more in length and picked well developed. A pickling variety called 'Bush Pickle' is a good container choice. 'Carolina' is another pickler variety. 'Straight 8' is a good slicer with great flavor.

Long cucumbers have become more popular in recent years. One such variety 'Burpless' has wide acceptance. This variety is a hybrid and is considered a slicer.

Sometimes confused with the burpless is a cucumber sold as Japanese or Armenian cucumber. The fruit is very pale to dark green, very long and the fruit has ridges along its surface.

These plants have a mild cucumber flavor. Many gardeners think the plant should be grown as a novelty.

Cucumbers are one of our most productive home garden vegetables. This vegetable should continue to produce all summer unless infected by the destructive bacterial wilt. This disease is introduced to the plant by insects usually cucumber beetles. Good control of beetles is necessary.

throughout the summer to keep plants healthy. Insecticides need to be applied on a regular basis to protect the plant. Once the plant is infected the vine will wilt and die. There is no cure for infected plants.

Flavor is best when cucumber grow fast. They require abundant water and adequate fertilizer throughout the season. Cucumbers should be harvested while still green. Yellow cucumbers are mature and are of poor quality at this stage.