One fruit that I haven’t grown for a while (and yes it is a fruit… if you red my last article on cucumber Telegraph Improved) are cucumbers. This year, I’m growing two types – the first being Telegraph Improved, which produces long slender fruits and Marketmore 76 which produces short stumpy fruit.
Cucumbers are a great stable to have in the kitchen and are more versatile than you think – I can’t wait to try out some new recipes. Marketmore is an outdoor variety, and I’ve seen similar fruits growing on the ground in Poland.
The cucumber is believed native to India, and evidence indicates that it has been cultivated in western Asia for around three thousand years. From India it’s believed that the Romans spread the fruit through to Greece and eventually Italy. The Romans were especially fond of the crop, and it soon moved into China. Cultivation of the cucumber appeared in France around the 9th century, England around the 14th century, and in North America by the mid-16th century.
Marketmore 76 cucumbers seeds were introduced by Dr. Henry Munger at Cornell University and released in 1976. Hence the reason for the number. Sadly, I found out that Dr. Munger just passed away in 2010, but I’m sure his creations will live on for years to come.
Marketmore 76 is a good yielding, mid-season slicing cucumber for the home gardener. 8-9″ very dark green when mature. Nice flavor, smooth, straight and perfect for salads. Marketmore 76 vines bear over a longer period than most.
Marketmore 76 cucumbers are known as slicing cucumbers, which basically means they grow straight and have smooth, dark green skin. This type of cucumber usually have spines, but these spines rub off fairly easily.
Like I’ve said before, planting these kinds of seeds is easier than you think. Stick them in a pot and let them grow!
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