Cucumber Lemon Seeds - Cucumis sativus

The Lemon cucumber is a very unique and popular variety of small yellow cucumber, especially loved by children. It is an old variety, originating from India, that produces fruits with white flesh the size of a large lemon. Very tasty, sweet and without bitterness, it can be cooked like traditional varieties, but it is necessary to remove the seeds which are tougher. The sowing period extends from April to June for a harvest from July to October.

Cucumbers thrive in light, loose, moist and humus-rich soils. They prefer sunny exposures and temperatures between 18 and 22°C. They are quite water-hungry vegetables that need to be regularly watered.

Cucumber is, along with tomato, one of the star vegetables of summer: refreshing, low in calories, it can be enjoyed in salads or on its own, with, for example, a sauce made of yogurt, lemon and dill.

There are two main types of cucumbers: the "forcing" varieties which are intended for greenhouse cultivation and those that are adapted to open ground cultivation. They can be smooth or spiny, long or semi-long. In addition to these classic varieties, there are also more "exotic" cucumbers such as the Kenyan Cucumber or the Snake Cucumber, which are generally more heat-demanding.

Harvest: Cucumbers should be harvested when they have reached their final size, before their colour turns yellow. Remember to harvest regularly to encourage the formation of new fruits.

Storage: Cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. To enjoy your harvest for longer, you can also preserve them in jars through lactofermentation or in vinegar.

Gardener's tip: Like all cucurbits, cucumber can be prone to powdery mildew: a white coating appears on the foliage. It is necessary to remove heavily affected leaves and to spray with wettable sulphur every 2 weeks. In case of minor attack, you can also treat the plants with skimmed milk, diluted at 10 to 20% in rainwater. As a preventive measure, avoid watering the foliage and make sure to provide good ventilation if the cultivation takes place under cover. A decoction of horsetail can also be applied to strengthen the foliage's resistance.