Cucumbers are important members of many gardens and kitchens! I’ve been growing them since I started my planting journey, and they never get old.
But, I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. A few months ago, I discovered a new plant that quickly became a sensation in my garden! Ladies and gentlemen, it was the one-of-a-kind lemon cucumber.
With their mysterious appearance and yellow color, they will remind you of lemons. After cutting them open, poof! They look like regular cucumbers inside. These fruits aren’t bitter at all, in fact, they’re juicy and sweet!
Lemon cucumbers are very easy to grow, making them perfect even for newbies. So get ready to accept this brand new gardening challenge. Who knows, maybe you will be among the first in your neighborhood to grow this unique fruit in your garden!
Let’s get started!
To Make Lemony Cucumbers Grow, You Must First Do The Planting Part
Don’t let the planting scare you away, it’s pretty much the easiest part!
Take the seeds and plant them indoors in spring. Warmer weather is perfect for seeds, as they prefer temperatures of 65-70°F. You can choose whether to grow them in a greenhouse or in large containers. I’ve always used containers because they’re much easier to handle.
Lemon cucumbers are big fans of the sun! You’ll need to place them in a spot that receives at least six-to-eight hours of sunlight!
Plant the seeds about an inch deep in well-drained soil mixed with compost. When planting, space the cucumbers twelve-to-twenty four inches apart to avoid crowding the roots and give them enough space to develop.
Make sure to set up a trellis because this fruit grows quickly and tall, needing support for healthy growth! If you still want cucumbers to spread on the ground without a trellis, sprinkle bark mulch. This will help keep your fruits clean and tidy!
That’s all the work you need to do at the beginning. Nothing too difficult!
Don’t Forget To Water The Lemon Cucumber For A Sweeter Taste
If you grow them in containers, they will need to be watered daily. On the other hand, cucumbers placed in a greenhouse will need to be watered every two days.
When watering, be careful not to wet the leaves as this can lead to fungal infections and slow down their growth. You’ll need to water just the plant roots!
Skipping this crucial step during cultivation can result in your lemon cucumbers having a bitter taste. No one wants their first bite after harvesting to be disappointing, right?
Keep An Eye On Pests
Pests like aphids and spider mites love to feed on your plants’ delicious leaves. Don’t be surprised if one day you catch cucumber beetles sneaking into your garden!
If you see yellow marks on the leaves, take immediate action against any pests and drive them away from your plants for good!
If cucumber beetles are the problem, you can remove their eggs by hand. Insecticidal soap can help with other pests. You can also try organic garden sprays that you can make at home!
It’s Harvest Time
It won’t take long to reach harvest because your cucumbers will be fully grown in two months! You will be able to harvest them as late as September.
When you see that the fruits have turned lemon yellow, it means you’ve done the job right. Harvest them regularly to encourage new growth. Then wash and sort them in your kitchen. You can start pickling cucumbers or make a fresh homemade salad!
My friendly advice is to save the seeds after harvesting so next season you won’t need to buy seeds, you’ll have your own at home! You can even share them with your friends, they’ll be thrilled.
It’s time for you to try new things in gardening! As you’ve seen, they are very easy to grow. All that’s needed, like with all plants, is attention and good care!
I have truly become obsessed with lemon cucumbers. They even taste better than regular cucumbers. These fruits really have a special place in my heart, and they will win yours, too! Make room in your garden and throw a welcoming party for this great new plant!
Good luck!