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I haven't been particularly successful with cucumbers in the past, so this year I thought I would hedge my bets and grow three different varieties. The first variety I chose was Crystal Lemon, these are the ones in the photo. They don't really look like cucumbers being round and yellow, more lemon like, which I suppose is how they got their name. I've grown these in the past and I wasn't over keen on them but I decided to give them another go. The verdict on these is that I won't grow them again. They're full of seeds and I don't like the flavour. I should say here that everyone's taste differs though, my dad is really enjoying them. My second choice was Fanfare, a variety which is happy to be grown in a container. I've grown this plant outdoors and it's produced plenty of tasty fruit. Not quite as large a cucumber as some, but not bite sized either. I'd consider this as one to grow in the future. My pick of the crop is Mini Munch. As the name suggests, it's a snack sized cucumber and crops heavily. It's thin skinned and tastes delicious. I've grown this plant in the greenhouse but I'd like to give it a go outdoors to see how it does, and it's one I'll definitely grow again. There's only me in our house who eats cucumber, though I'm supplying my mum and dad with their's too, so I don't need to grow a huge amount. A couple of Mini Munch plants will be more than enough next year.
I'm getting a regular supply of tomatoes ripening now, though a couple of varieties are being a bit stubborn and refusing to turn red. The outdoor plants have done far better than the ones in the greenhouse in all respects. I shall do a more detailed post on this year's tomato crop in due course.
We've got some nice weather here just in time for today's bank holiday, though I don't think the rest of the week is now forecast to be as nice as they thought it was going to be. Hubby's got the week off work so I'm hoping it stays fine so that we can have some days out. Whatever you're up to, I hope you enjoy the bank holiday.
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Thanks for this Jo. Mini munch will be on my list for next year! Have a great day, and some good days out during the week too.
ReplyDeleteMini munch is definitely on my list for next year. We've had a lovely day out today, the weather's been smashing.
DeleteI think that I'll go for the cucumber variety Marketmore next year which is reckoned to be one of the best to grow outdoors.
ReplyDeleteI've picked a few more tiny ripe tomatoes!
I hope that the week stays fine for you so you can get out and about and do some plotting. Flighty xx
I think I've grown that one previously, though it was in the greenhouse. It wasn't a total success. Glad to hear that the tomatoes are coming good, even if you don't get a huge harvest. The weather today has been better than forecast and we've had a lovely day out.
DeleteThose round ones look strange! My outdoor cucumbers have been lovely but I cannot remember their name. I hope the weather holds up for you and that you enjoy your days out xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm always a bit wary of things which don't look as they should. It's a shame you can't remember the name of your cucumbers, I like to have recommendations. We're hoping for a day at the coast tomorrow so I hope the weather's fine.
DeleteI'm glad you told us what they are Jo because I would never have guessed!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly don't look like cucumbers. I'm pleased my dad's enjoying them even if I'm not.
DeleteI grew these Lemon Crystal too and I agree, they are full of seeds and I won't bother again. I've got various tomatoes just starting to ripen, look forward to reading your taste tests and comparing with mine. Enjoy what remains of the bank holiday.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy trying something a bit different but it doesn't always pay off. I'm really enjoying the tomatoes I've had so far so I hope the others are just as good. We've had a lovely day out so I'm going to spend the rest of the bank holiday catching up on some blog reading.
DeleteWe tended to be very conservative with cucumbers growing the same variety every year nothing special. The high cost of seeds puts us off - it would be an expensive waste of money if they didn't germinate.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's anything wrong with sticking with something which does well for you and which you enjoy. I haven't really had problems with germination of cucumber seeds, but I've had many plants which haven't done very well fruit production wise. The Mini Munch churn out cucumbers every two or three days, which is fine when there's only me who eats it.
DeleteI think I shall look out for Fanfare and Mini Munch next year, as I've tried Crystal Apple this year and I'm not wild about them either. They are okay, but cucumber-shaped cucumbers are much handier. The guinea pigs love the Crystal Apples though!
ReplyDeleteI think Crystal Lemon and Crystal Apple are one and the same, or very similar. I never thought about feeding them to the rabbits, though I'm sure my dad would have something to say if his supply dried up, he's loving them. It'll definitely be Mini Munch for me next year.
DeleteWe're over-run with cucumbers here. I don't know what variety they are but they are mini sized. The tomatoes are now ripening and the first Ildi small yellow tomatoes will be ready in the next few days.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
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Mini sized cucumbers seem to produce far more than the larger ones. Glad to hear your tomatoes are ripening. I'm managing to pick enough for me and my mum and dad at the moment, the rest of the family don't eat them.
DeleteBased on what you and others have written I think I'll give Cystal Lemon a miss... I'm happy with the Iznik ones I am growing - and if only I could get some (cheaper) non-F1 equivalents I'd be even happier.
ReplyDeleteI think you're wise to give Crystal Lemon a miss. I believe Mini Munch is an F1 variety, but I shall give it another go next year, it's certainly worth the price of the seeds, it's so prolific.
DeleteAgree with you about 'Crystal Lemon' Jo - mine have grown well this year but they are definitely on the seedy side. I also grew 'La Diva' this year which I will grow again. It produces little cucumbers which is ideal as himself is not partial to them. Hope that the weather remains kind and does not affect any outings you have got planned for the week. Have fun :)
ReplyDeleteThe Crystal Lemon produce well, they're just not very appetising. I've never heard of La Diva, that's one to look in to for me. We're hoping for a trip to the coast tomorrow, I hope the weather stays fine.
DeleteWe had an abundance of cucumbers this year (Marketmore)grown from new seed in the greenhouse. The variety has quite thick ridged skin which I peel. They soon get eaten at the moment, usually in a salad or tuna sandwich. The Lemon Crystal variety looks interesting although I don't suppose we would have spotted that one on the garden centre stand. The only experimental vegetables that have been chosen this year have been the stripey tomatoes growing outside and yet to ripen and show their patterned skins.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trips out and about this week. I'm still trying to catch up with blogging in between ours!
It sounds like it's been a good year for cucumbers all round. I've grown Tigerella tomatoes in the past, they've got a lovely taste and they're a tomato I enjoy. It's hard to stay on top of blogging when you're out and about, I think it will be taking a back seat for me this week.
DeleteMy 7 year old daughter loves lemon cucumbers but personally I prefer Lebanese style ones. Mini munch sound great.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's good that someone's enjoying them. It's not a variety I'll grow again, I'll stick to the smaller varieties from now on.
DeleteWhat a shame the crystal lemon didn't taste to good, they do actually look great.
ReplyDeleteI grew thorny ones this year and I must say they are lovely, and great as eye pads for puffy eyes.xxxx
The Crystal Lemon are certainly unusual. I've heard many people raving about them, so it might just be me, but I prefer the more usual varieties. My daughter won't eat cucumbers but she uses them for her eyes.
DeleteA good recommendation, they sound good, have grown my first decent outdoor cucumbers this year, so keen to try more.
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleased with my cucumbers this year, I've done better than ever before.
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