Cucumber 'King of salad'

80 seeds

1. Sow Indoors or Outdoors:

   - Indoors: Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost.

     - Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep in seed trays or small pots using a well-draining potting mix.

     - Keep the soil moist and maintain a temperature of 70–85°F (21–29°C) for germination. It typically takes 7–10 days for seeds to sprout.

   - Outdoors: Directly sow seeds outdoors after the danger of frost has passed, usually in late spring when soil temperatures are consistently above 60°F (15°C).

     - Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep, spacing them about 6–12 inches apart.

2. Sunlight and Support:

   - Sunlight: Cucumbers prefer full sun, needing at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day.

   - Support: While 'King of Salad' is typically a bushy cucumber variety, it benefits from some support like a trellis or cucumber cage to keep the fruits off the soil and improve air circulation.

3. Watering and Care:

   - Cucumbers need consistent moisture to thrive. Water regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can promote disease.

   - Mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

   - Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Once the plants start flowering and fruiting, you can switch to a fertilizer with a higher potassium content to promote fruit development.

4. Harvesting:

   - King of Salad cucumbers are known for their crisp, sweet flavor and uniform shape. Harvest cucumbers when they are 6–8 inches long. If left too long, they can become bitter and overripe.

   - Regular harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing more fruit.

5. General Tips:

   - King of Salad is a versatile, popular cucumber variety known for its high-quality, tender fruits that are perfect for salads, sandwiches, and even pickling.

   - This variety tends to be disease-resistant and has good tolerance to heat, making it suitable for a variety of climates.

By following these care tips, you’ll enjoy abundant crops of sweet, crisp cucumbers throughout the growing season!