Growing Cucumbers under row cover

15 years ago

After seeing and learning about another method to raise cucumbers and other Cucurbits, without chemicals, I thought I would give it a try. I am specifically growing cucumbers in this tunnel. I am trying to exclude squash bugs and more importantly the Cucumber Beetle. The reason for this is they transfer Bacterial Wilt.

Here is how we built this set up.

First we tilled the ground, made raised beds, buried the drip tape for irrigation and then covered the raised beds with plastic/fabric row cover. Then I filled in the middle with some old straw. Then we marked and cut holes every two feet. I was going to go every foot, but I didn't have enough plants to do that.

Then we placed the 6 foot 1/2 inch EMT hoops every 6 feet.

Then we transplanted Diva cucumbers.

I would have planted before I put the hoops on, but I didn't want to transplant them then come back after church and supper. The transplants were larger than I wanted.

Then we added the row cover. We buried all the sides. On the north end, we held it down with water filled two liter bottles. This way we can gain access, if we need to.

These rows are 45 feet long and I plan on leaving the cover on until time to harvest. When it is time to harvest, we will remove the row cover. The plants will be big enough to hold off any damage from the beetles.

I am doing another low tunnel next week with a different type of cucumbers, H-19 little Leaf. If all goes well, I will do a third tunnel with a later planting of zucchini.

Jay

Featured Answer

2ajsmama

15 years ago

Thanks - I was wondering if you had to put the ends of the EMT over rebar.

I tried a search last night, couldn't find anything definitive. H-19 is "compact", is it a bush type or does it need trellising? I also have Bush Champion (obvious) and de Bourbonne if anyone has grown the cornichons.

My amended trenches are retaining too much water after almost 2" of rain this week (half of it on Thurs!) so it's a scramble to find room for cukes and tomatoes - so anything bush is going near the house and maybe I'll have just enough trellis for the Ind. tomatoes. Thanks.

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Comments (6)

glib
15 years ago
Nice. I should try them myself. The problem, of course, is pollination. You have Diva, I know, but for me a quick access from one side, and a small paint brush sitting right there, is all that is needed.
2ajsmama
15 years ago
What do you use to stake the ends of the EMT down? I've got 10ft EMT (used for deer fencing this year), was thinking of doing low tunnel next year. My cukes (if I ever get them planted - have 6 germinating in flat right now) will have to fend for themselves this year, but I've never had a problem with cucumber beetles.

Fedco says H-19 Little Leaf can be kept under cover all season, doesn't need pollination (parthenocarpic). That was attractive to me (esp. since foliage is supposed to be sparse and I was worried about sunscald) but I just haven't had time to build a tunnel. I may rig something up.

What type of zucchini are you planning on?
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jrslick (North Central Kansas, Zone 5B)
Original Author
15 years ago
The hoops are stuck in the ground 6-8 inches. H-19 has smaller leaves than regular cucumbers. Don't worry about them getting sunscald, I have a 16 by 32 tunnel full of them. I am just getting started to pick them.

I will be planting Perfect Pick, Caveli, and Parthenon.
I also have a tunnel full of these too. They have been producing for several weeks now.

Jay
laceyvail 6A, WV
15 years ago
Little Leaf is compact, but it's not a bush type and so does vine pretty well. Not like regular cukes, but still... It's also highly resistant to the bacterial wilt and to downy mildew.
2ajsmama
15 years ago
Jay (or Lacey) - I don't have a lot of space (have to check trellised area tomorrow after 2.5" of rain in 5 days). I assume you let the H-19 sprawl in the tunnels, but can anybody tell me how tall a trellis I would need if I did trellis them? How long do the vines get? Thanks