Item description for 30 Spacemaster 80 Cucumber Seeds

Spacemaster 80 Cucumber is a "bush" cucumber plant that is excellent for containers and small spaces. Cucumbers will grow large deep-green fruit about 8 inches long on dwarf 18-24 inch long vines. This variety is a widely adapted to home gardens. It is also resistant to cucumber mosaic virus and downy mildew. An excellent slicing or pickling variety.

Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade the soil 8-12 inches deep and turn each shovel of soil over completely to cover the plant materials with soil. You may add fertilizer or organic matter at this point (see "Fertilizing" below). Make rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 3 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, which is essential for cucumbers.

Since cucumbers cannot survive frost, plant only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil begins to warm. Choose an area with full sunlight, well-drained soil, and away from tree roots. To plant, make 1 inch deep holes spaced 12-14 inches apart in raised beds down the rows, then plant 3-4 cucumber seeds in each hole. Cover seeds with about 1 inch of fine soil and firm the soil with the flat side of a hoe, but do not pack it. By planting several seeds, you are more likely to get a stand. Remove extra plants after seedlings emerge.

Cucumber vines can reach 6-8 feet long or more and require lots of space. In large gardens, cucumbers can be spread on the ground. In small gardens, cucumbers can be trained on a fence, trellis, cage, or along a wire attached to a wall. If wire cages are used, plant along the cage or trellis. *Tip: You can plant fast maturing crops such as lettuce and radishes between cucumber hills to save space. These will be harvested before the cucumber vines get too large.