It is one of the pleasures of summer to bite into a crisp and mild flavored cucumber. The cucumber is one of the oldest cultivated vegetables, it is believed to be native to India and has been cultivated in western Asia for 3,000 to 4,000 years. Cucumbers were brought to the New World in 1494 by Columbus, first arriving in Haiti and spreading to Canada. Cucumbers were being grown by the Iroquois when the Mayflower arrived.

Here are several different types of Cucumbers you will see this season at Orchard Nursery.

Armenian:
Long and often twisted, with furrowed yellow green skin. They are aromatic with mild, sweet flavor and subtle hint of citrus. No peeling is required. Contains a few small seeds.

Common:
Sometimes called “plain” or “pole” cucumbers, they are 6 – 9”. They are long with dark green flesh. They have a mild flavor. Before using, most people peel and get the seeds out.

English:
These have thin skin and are 12-15” long. Some are ridged, others are smooth. Most are seedless. They have a mild flavor. Often served skin intact and no seeding is required.

Japanese:
Narrow and thin, dark green skin with wart like bumps. The seeds are very small. These have a sweet and delicate flavor. Both the skins and seeds are generally eaten.

Lemon:
Pale yellow, about the same size and shape of a lemon. As they age, the skin turns a deeper yellow. The seeds are small. They have a delicate, sweet flavor. Peeling and seeding is optional.

Persian:
Thin skinned, slender and relatively small, about 5- 6” long. Juicy, sweet, and finely textured. They contain few small seeds and do not require peeling.

Pickling:
These are about 4” long and have dark green skin. Extremely crunchy! They are pickled whole and are unpeeled.

Plant cumbers in a sunny location. They respond to generous amounts of organic matter in the soil and a fertilizer applied during the growing season. Water slowly
and deeply. Roots can grow up to 3’ deep.

Floral Treasures: Artificial and dried wreaths

The one and only interchangeable chain bracelet!
 
Begin with a starter bracelet… then change your mind, your style and your look by adding additional chains. Go edgy and sophisticated with all metal or bling it up with crystals.

Meet Houdenie representative Cynthia Giannini this Saturday, May 5th, here at the Lazy K.  She'll show you how to create your very own Houdenie and introduce you to all the possibilities!
 
It makes a one-of-a-kind gift for Mother's Day, Graduation and Birthday celebrations. 

Last Week's Question:
Can you fill in the blank with the correct type of bean in this creepy line from the movie The Silence Of The Lambs?
As said by character Hannibal Lechter:
"I ate his liver with some_________ _________ and a nice Chianti."