Growing Cucumbers - Benefits and Instructions
Benefits of Growing Cucumbers
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Medicinal- Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. Cucumbers also contain polyphenols called lignans, which may help to lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers
- Nutritional Profile - Vitamin B1, B5 and B7, potassium, copper and fiber.
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Use in: Salads, fresh eating, pickles, kimchi, cocktails, smoothies.
Growing Instructions
Culture:
Harvesting:
Pick slicing cucumbers when they reach 6-8 inches long; pickling types at 3-5 inches. Keep mature cucumbers picked off the vines to encourage a longer yield. Harvest cucumbers for pickling early in the morning.
Storage/Preparation:
There is research suggesting cold temperature actually speed up the decay of cucumbers. Cucumber can be stored in a basket out of direct sunlight in a cupboard or panty for up to a week. Alternatively, cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator. Make sure cucumbers are incredibly dry, then individually wrapped in paper or tea towels, and placed in a OPEN plastic bag. Cucumbers are ideal for pickling and fermenting.
Companions:
Bush bean, cabbage family, corn, dill, eggplant, lettuce, radish, pea, tomato