Try these Italian Heirloom ivory white cucumbers, and enjoy their very mild, crisp and delicious fruits! White Wonder cucumbers in particular were sent to the Burpee Seed Company from a gardener in New York. Several years later in 1893, they were offered for sale for the first time in the Burpee catalog.
** white wonder cucumbers naturally have a lower germination rate than other cucumbers therefore extra seeds are given**
Historians generally agree that the first cucumbers grew in India's Himalayan Mountains over 3,000 years ago. From this region they expanded into Greece and Rome; the Romans most likely spread this vegetable to the rest of Europe. The cucumber was widely grown by native Americans through the influence of the Spanish and other explorers. Cucumbers continue to be a vital part of traditional cuisine in Russia and many parts of Asia; the greatest variety of colors and shapes of this vegetable can still be found in its Asian birthplace.
• Scroll down for detailed growing info •
All Nimble NiteCap Seeds are:
• Heirloom
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• Open Pollinated
• Untreated
• US Grown
• growing instructions included
• Regular testing is conducted to uphold the highest germination standards, all the while employing appropriate seed storage techniques.
Sustainable Packaging & Shipping:
• NimbleNitecap seeds are packed in eco-friendly, compostable seed packets. Seed packets are printed in house with vegetable-based inks on biodegradable, recycled materials. (Small plastic bags are infrequently used to prevent the loss of very small seeds.)
• All orders are carefully packed and shipped with tracking via USPS First Class (or Priority, if selected) in padded ECOENCLOSE recycled and reusable mailers, or recycled boxes to protect your items in transit.
Most orders ship out the same or next business day! Please note that this time may be extended during peak season.
• FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $35 or more. Flat Rate shipping no matter how many packets you order.
• DIRECTIONS •
~ planting ~
Cucumbers do not take well to transplanting, so either start them early in peat pots or plant them directly. Start them indoors about 2 weeks before frost, placing 3-4 seeds 1/2" deep in the pot. Keep the air temperature at least 80 degrees F. When two or three leaves appear on each plant, cut off all but the strongest plant with a scissors.
Before planting them, "harden" the seedlings by setting them outside during the day. They should be planted no sooner than a week after the last spring frost, when the air temperatures consistently average 65-75 degrees F.
For planting them in a hill, place three seedlings or 7-8 seeds in each hill; space hills 4-5' apart. If rows are preferable, plant seedlings 1' apart or place 5 seeds within 1' and later thin them. Cucumbers love heat and cannot endure even a light frost; if cold temperatures threaten, cover the seedlings.
Since cucumbers love to climb, providing a trellis will save space in your garden and produce straighter cucumbers that are easier to pick; however, the vines will simply spread out over the ground if no trellis is provided. Some gardeners plant their cucumbers with corn, since the two plants benefit each other and the cucumbers will climb the corn.
Planting several radishes with cucumbers seems to repel damaging cucumber beetles; however, cucumbers do not like being planted near potatoes or aromatic herbs.
~ growing ~
White Wonder cucumbers can withstand fairly high temperatures. Moisture is the key to growing excellent cucumbers; keep the soil consistently moist. When the vines have developed, apply mulch or straw to conserve moisture and control weeds. Watch out for cucumber beetles, and remove them immediately to prevent damage.
~ harvesting ~
These white, crisp cucumbers work very well for slicing, and also make excellent pickles. For best taste, harvest them as soon as they reach a length of 6-8". If picked consistently all season, the yield will be very high. When the blossom end of the cucumber begins to turn yellow, this indicates that the cucumber has passed its prime. Cucumbers store very well in the refrigerator.
