[Glen]

I would like to grow some cucumbers, can anyone set me off on the right track?

[richyrich7]

Indoor or out ? is your first choice. I'd go for a F1 seed with all female flowers. Such as

These

Can be sown from now if you can keep them frost free/warm.

Water from underneath, even when planted water at the side of the plant avoid watering on the stem. Feed well  once flowers start opening.

[Glen]

Thanks, what return per planted seed should i expect?

[richyrich7]

Thanks, what return per planted seed should i expect?

 :shock:  now your asking    depends on variety etc I've had years when I've had one or two cukes a plant, other years so many I'm pickling them ! I usually plant about 4 seeds which should give you plenty.

[Glen]

What about the cukes in the link you gave me? What should i expect from these? So you know, i live with 3 cuecumber adicts!

[richyrich7]

Me too kids will eat them all day, then there's the guinea pigs and the African land snail  :shock:

I'd plant the 4 seeds you get, in a good year they will go beserk producing loads of cukes, it's trial and error I'm afraid. I've been growing marketmore for the last 2 years but this is probably the one I'll go for myself

[Trillium]

Pickling cukes are slightly different from what Richy described. They're stumpier and have bristles which need to be washed off first. Their insides are drier, better for pickling - and they'll produce loads provided you don't get all male plants as I did twice now  :roll:  They quite edible fresh but not quite as sweet as table cukes.

Generally, you can always plant more seeds than you think you need and thin later if it's more than you want. With cucumber addicts, better too many than not enough. Sure beats junk food.

[Glen]

Are there any guidlines to follow with regards space between seeds?

[richyrich7]

We pickle ordinary cukes Trill just as a way of preserving them.

About 3 foot apart should do you Glen, but you could squeeze them in a bit closer if tight for space.

[ditchdigger]

Are there any guidlines to follow with regards space between seeds?

 we usually start off in pots and plant out about 3ft. apart. we plant on a slight mound to  help keep the water away from the stem.

[Glen]

We have loads of space! We have 2 beds this size to fill! (40'x 12')

[Trillium]

Usually they're planted in small, well enriched mounds, 3 per mound. Space the mounds about a metre or more apart as cukes love to crawl unless you're providing vertical support for them. I'd situate them at one end of your bed, the end that won't shade the rest of the plants if you go vertical, or so that they can crawl over the grass and not bother other crops within the bed.
BTW - seeds are usually started 3-4 weeks indoors in individual pots to jumpstart the season. Protect against frost as they're very tender.

Fair warning: cukes must have very regular watering to get decent crops so mulch them well (preferably with old manure) and water every day. A small depression on the top of the mound helps catch and keep water for the roots. If you're organic, some manure tea once in a while keeps the hungry plants fed.

[Glen]

Sorry whats manure tea? Liquid manure?

[Trillium]

Yes. You throw some manure, fresh or old, into a bucket of water, leave it to 'stew' for about 2-3 weeks, then pour off the 'tea'. The tea is concentrated so you add some to a water can and dilute with water and pour under plants over the roots.
To increase plant leaf vigour, I make a purchased kelp (seaweed) mix that I spray onto plant leaves and is better absorbed than manure tea. Not necessary but I find the healthier my plants are, the less pests visit my garden.

[ditchdigger]

Yes. You throw some manure, fresh or old, into a bucket of water, leave it to 'stew' for about 2-3 weeks,

   We put the muck into mesh onion sacks and then soak in a bin of water and stir it up now and again sometimes bung comfrey leaves in aswell.