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What is the best way to store fresh cucumbers?

Wrap the whole cucumber in plastic wrap and then store it in an airtight container. The plastic wrap acts as a shield and locks in moisture, which prevents the cukes from ripening and becoming mushy.

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While cucumbers are available all-year-round, the best time to enjoy them are during the summer months. It's so fun to grow different varieties in your veggie garden so you can pickle them, use them in different dishes, or slice them up for an easy snack. When they're in peak season, cucumbers are a bit fresher and tastier, and are essential in crisp summer salads, crudité spreads, and even in satisfying smoothies. If you've ever noticed your cucumbers expire just days after bringing them home from the market, it could be due to how they're stored. Many store-bought cucumbers have a waxy layer that allows them to have a longer shelf life. If you're growing your own cukes, you should try to enjoy them within two to three days after picking them.

How To Store Cucumbers

Most people toss cucumbers into the crisper drawer of their refrigerator, which isn't the worst option, but there's a simple trick that will keep them fresher for longer. Wrap the whole cucumber in plastic wrap and then store it in an airtight container. The plastic wrap acts as a shield and locks in moisture, which prevents the cukes from ripening and becoming mushy. After trying this method, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see that your cucumbers are still crispy and crunchy up to a week later.

How To Store Cucumber Slices

If you're pre-slicing cucumbers for a convenient snack throughout the week, do not put them in a plastic bag unless you plan on eating them within the same day. Instead, wrap them in a damp paper towel and then store them in an airtight container for up to five days. Locking in the moisture is key to keeping the cucumber slices fresh for as long as possible.

Can You Freeze Cucumbers?

Because of their high-water content, cucumbers can easily be stored in the freezer and enjoyed throughout the year. It's always a good idea to slice them beforehand, but it's up to you whether you'd like to peel them or not. Once sliced, spread the cucumber rounds out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them for two to three hours. Then, store them in a freezer-friendly container in your freezer, making sure to leave a little room at the top in case they expand while frozen.

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What's the best fertilizer for cucumbers?

Cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) is good.

Cucumbers and tomatoes are heavy feeders. They will grow faster and taste better if you have enriched your soil with compost or good organic matter. Some of the expert growers maintain that adding dried seaweed to the soil to boost trace elements will give you stronger and better disease-resistant plants. Cucumbers need moderate nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium, so an organic plant food with the first number lower than the last two (like 3-4-6) is good. Tomatoes need soil that is high in all nutritional components, and the samefertilizer with slightly higher P and K numbers, will work well. Fertilize your tomatoes just two times during the season--two weeks after planting and again just when the fruits are starting to set -- using the organic fertilizer or a fish or seaweed emulsion. Adding organic matter into your soil in fall or early spring provides the most lasting benefit to your garden.

Don't forget a soil test for correct pH, and compost amendment.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information

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