Product Review

(Cucumis sativus ) A.k.a. Lebanese Cucumber. This middle eastern style cucumber is crisp and sweet. Also called Persian or Lebanese cucumber, it is a generally gynoecious strain that produces well under a variety of conditions. The five to six inch fruit are burpless and keep well after harvest. Well adapted to trellis and greenhouse production or out doors. They originated in the late 1940s, having been developed in Israel at a kibbutz farm. A delicious, very sweet cucumber that is usually picked small. The Beit Alpha cucumber does not need any peeling because the skin is very tender. Now becoming popular with Americans because it easy to grow, and it's juicy fruits' fine flavor and high yields. They have an excellent shelf life and known to be burpless. They are one of the best all-around cucumbers available. Pick them when they are about five or six inches long for best flavor and texture. They do well on a trellis but you can grow them on the ground also. Set out transplants or direct seed three feet apart (3-5 seeds per hill, thin to three best plants) with rows five to six feet apart. 55 days. HOW TO GROW: Plant either individually in rows or hills of 3-6 seeds each. Tighter spacing and higher yields can be achieved through trellising the plants on fences or poles. Continually harvesting will keep the plant producing new fruits. Heirloom cucumbers do not like acidic soil! To get an earlier heirloom cucumber crop start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost. Heirloom cucumbers are thirsty! Never let them go dry. Heirloom cucumbers are over 95% water. Cucumber beetles are "supposed" to dislike marigolds or wood ashes sprinkled at the base of cucumber vines. *** **SOIL Temperature for Germination: 70-75F **Size at Maturity: 5-6 inches **Spacing: Rows 18 inches a part; thin seedlings 6-8 inches **Planting Depth: 1/2" **Hardiness: Zones 4-11 **Sun Requirement: Full Sun/Partial Shade **Days to Germination: 7-10 days **Germination Rate: 98%