CUCUMBERS

[EDD]

MY CUCUMBERS ARE BITTER. I THINK THAT I WATER SUFFICIENTLY,
EACH MORNING AND LATE IN AFTERNOON. TOO MUCH TOO LITTLE. I'M THINKING STRESS, BUT IT MUST BEEN BEFORE I PURCHASED THEM. ANY CURE? :?

[Tony M]

A bitter taste in cucumbers is the result of stress that can be caused by a number of factors including heredity, moisture, temperature, soil characteristics and disease. Most often this occurs during the hot part of the summer or later in the growing season.

Often only the stem end is affected, but at times the entire fruit is bitter. Also, most of the bitter taste is found in and just under the skin. Bitter fruit is not the result of cucumbers cross pollinating with squash or melons. These plants can not cross pollinate with one another.

The newer varieties are less likely to become bitter than older ones.

[CaptainCompostAL]

I like adding a little Epsom salt to my compost tea foliar/soil appilcation to add extra magnesium and sulfur to my cucumbers. Magnesium and sulfur are essential nutrients for taste in most vegetables.

[crk]

Can cucumbers be grown in the fall garden? I've never tried it but I have also noticed that none of the nurseries in my area are carrying transplants right now either. I would think starting them from seed when not give enough time to set fruit before the first frost.
crk

[CaptainCompostAL]

Sure! You can grow them up to first frost.
Here in Alabama, that normally means up to Halloween.

[crk]

Do you plant seeds or transplants for the fall garden? Will seeds set before the first frost? We normally don't get much cold until middle of Oct. or Nov.

[CaptainCompostAL]

I use cucumber seeds.

Heck, even if a light frost does come before your cucumbers get fully developed, you can always use various cold frame covering ideas too.

[crk]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about using cold frames. I'll get the seeds in right away.