Cucumber plant care polytunnel, 3 month cropping

[@Steve1026.]

The thumbnail for this video is by far the best yet! Thank you Charles and your team for making these videos, I absolutely love them!🎉🎉🎉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoy them Steve!

[@georgeasgautr]

Whoever's in charge of thumbnails, thank you 😂

[@belight123]

I know, right? I'm like, you guys need to help a brother out, not make him look like a turtle!

[@smas3256]

I clicked for Minty and words of wisdom.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

KZbin put on a thumbnail presentation to suggest ways of making them more engaging, so that's what we've been doing for the last two videos, and I'm glad you like them! We're having a bit of fun!

[@kellynbtln8234]

So fun, love it, caught my attention, thanks Charles brilliant info!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good to hear, thank you

[@zazzerzazzer4886]

I planted a cucumber variety names Snow's Fancy Pickling Cucumber, available from seed savers exchange - I believe this is considered a ridge cucumber. I've gotten over 100 cucumbers per plant so far this year. Note that I have been removing leaves as they show signs of aging or mildew - doesn't seem to hurt them at all (you replied to someone else to not do this). I trellised it on wire grids about 8 feet wide x 3 feet high; doubled the grid vertically so the trellis is about 6 feet high (about 5 inch x 6 inch openings; I think it might usually be used for reinforcing concrete). Some branches of vines did spread along ground, too; the trellis was so full, I left them on the ground. Planted 6 plants; bunnies got 2, but 4 plants survived. I follow organic practices. They're still producing quite well - far more cucumbers than I ever anticipated. Area is full sun, in Minnesota (zone 4b, moving into 5a with climate change). I planted them in an area where I had dug out an arbor vitae root; and once the root was out, as I filled the hole will soil, I mixed in some leaf compost (not well decomposed though - it's all that I had) with the soil, and some vegetable fertilizer (OMRI certified for organic gardening). We've had lots of rain this year, and not a super warm summer for us (few days in the 90s) - I've only watered the cucumbers about 3 times. The trellising helped keep ventilation, and the leaves dry-er. I discovered your videos late in the spring and have been implementing your advice throughout the garden. I cannot thank you enough for your videos - you're making the world a much better place by sharing your knowledge. I love your videos and your practical advice - I've shared them with others as well. The no-dig part was a revelation, and next year will implement that throughout the garden. I have been using cardboard and black plastic to keep weeds down this summer - the weeds (especially crabgrass) got away from me (tons of rain) but cardboard & black plastic helped bring many areas I was using for paths, plus the area under the cucumber trellis, and under tomatoes, under control. Might have gotten a few slugs as a result, but small and very minimal so far. All your composting videos have been a great help; I should have some good compost for next year. I managed to get 2 big plastic composting bins for free off craigslist in July- they help keep the compost hotter and I need to kill the weed seeds! I moved in to this house last summer; it had a garden, but wasn't planted last year (lots of volunteer tomato plants, though). I wasn't able to do much last year. There was an open compost pile where tree leaves had been piled, but "greens" weren't mixed in and it wasn't turned, so didn't rot well. I added what was there to the plastic bins, with "greens" in late July, and have kept adding garden clippings, etc. since, so should have some good compost soon!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely comment, thanks and I'm very happy to have been helping you. It sounds like you're doing pretty well considering it's a new garden with many weeds.

[@RichardTaylorgardening]

Thank you for taking the time to answer comments 50 odd years no dig at home just using old chicken sifted bedding on allotment now as always happy gardening Richardx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Richard and sounds good!

[@gailmcdonald1946]

I love the thumbnail, you look so happy.❤

[@sherryk30]

Happy and calm!!

[@friendsnotfood563]

🥴

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you like it Gail

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@nitinvarsani8458]

Always learning somthing new and valuable from you Thank you 🙏🏽

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lovely to hear, thank you

[@derekscottpersonalchef694]

Beautiful Cucumbers 🥒 Charles! Hopefully one day I can get a green house or poly tunnel to grow them like yours. I do have many varieties growing out in the open and they are coming in now. Maybe I can set up some tall posts and draw a string across. Always love your videos. ❤👨‍🍳

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Derek

[@MizzAugust7]

Boy, that -is more complicated than I ever figured ! You do so much work.

[@Sky-Child]

Charles I am SO excited I got tickets to come and see you in Edinburgh! *Ahem* I don't have a greenhouse this year (we moved house) but hoping to have one again next year to grow cukes, tomatoes and melons. Wish me luck 🤞

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How lovely, hope to see you there and yes you will find a lovely greenhouse!

[@carolexo7269]

Every second node for the cucumbers. Thank you for that. It made sense after you explained why. Lovely music and yard ❤ 🇨🇦

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patriciavincent5076]

Love the delicate Clary Sage growing along the edge!❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Me too, I sowed it April 2023

[@smas3256]

Great system your using to lower vine. Your cucumbers are fabulous Charles. We have a trellis being used for Stingless Green Beans. If hubby lets me, lol, I'll plant a Cucumber near the end post. But don't bet on it. I ❤ him anyway. He is planting another cucumber where one is trying to finish. We had 20 flower buds then got 95 degrees with wind. Gone. Great system and cute cat.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for all the great information, you share! From a very different climate…

[@marking-time-gardens]

Great tutorial on your cucumber vines! Will be trying this one next year! Thank you! Blessings on your growing season sir!🌻🐛🌿💚🙏💕

[@dantapaws8395]

Tip: No need to use 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜That stuff gives off 𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 when cut and also when tying it! You instead 𝗰𝗮𝗻 use Jute and just tie it near the base of the plant. You end up with same result but 𝗡𝗢 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, shall try it

[@GreenEarthGardener]

Wonderful tutorial Charles 🎉

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you enjoyed it

[@dantapaws8395]

Tip: No need to use 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜That stuff gives off 𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 when cut and also when tying it! You instead 𝗰𝗮𝗻 use Jute and just tie it near the base of the plant. You end up with same result but 𝗡𝗢 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖!

[@williamkujanpaa4318]

Wow, I can’t wait to try that next year! We have been making freeze dried cucumber chips. This would really extend the season by growing them in the greenhouse like this!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great William

[@cornenho]

I’m doing it this way outside under a shelter for my cucumbers And tomatoes . Works great. Great harvests untill now, less diseases❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good results and nice to hear 💚

[@kolokithas7865]

Student from 🇬🇷 here!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice

[@LittlePetieWheat]

Time to graduated to Tomahooks? Made mine out of wire from some old bed springs.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes but they need thin string, I feel these like the softer and fatter type

[@LittlePetieWheat]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig I use bailer twine with mine. Garden string of the gods!

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Beautiful video, Charles ❤🥒❤️

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed it Peggy

[@gardenhill1192]

congrats for your garden 👏

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Many thanks

[@LukeGoesOutdoors]

Are you cutting your tomato heads off yet Can you make a video or youtube short showing how and when you do it . thankyou for all the tips

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Luke and any time now, shall see

[@__Shellspace__]

good morning , and where did that wind come from last night it took out one of my 8 foot sunflowers , beautiful long cucumbers mine have only been getting 4 inch 5 at push as iused beth alpha and mini munch but after seeing these i will try carmen f1 next time around i do have some gherkins too

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and we had strong wind today, which knocked off a few sunflower stalks, but I have staked the taller ones.

[@martagarrido6561]

Hola charles .una pregunta no he podido seguir viendo el canal en español no lo encuentro. Ya no esta mas? Ojalá sigan estaba buenisimo! ya que para los hispanos nos distrae mucho leer el subtitulo y ver el video😂 gracias 👋👋👋🇨🇱

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Lamento escuchar eso y no estoy seguro de por qué no puedes encontrarlo.

[@soniamartinez8912]

Saludos desde Oaxaca mexico ,yo feliz con un pepino voluntario y sorprendida con su crecimiento justo este video necesitaba para cuidarlo

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

¡Qué fascinante! Gracias por tus comentarios.

[@tinabloomfield7228]

I grow my cukes on a trellis and always take off the lower leaves. So much easier as the plants grow to see the fruit❤ love the thumbnail

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sounds great and thanks

[@shihtzusrule9115]

Good Morning, the early bird gets the worm.

[@psisky]

I always have to ask about the flowers. Is that a clary sage next to your Rudbeckia? What variety, do you know?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Salvia sclarea from Chiltern Seeds

[@loredanachiriac1]

We have some plants outside, that got yellow spots on the leaves....I hope the plant will not die soon. The other plants that are in the greenhouse, started to get dry leaves and the fruits are coming but when they are small they start to dry as well. What is going on?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How frustrating, and it sounds like anthracnose, which can occur if leaves stay wet for too long. Difficult to remedy

[@bernadette6211]

Thankyou Charles thats a great tip

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are welcome Bernadette

[@Agui007]

Hi Charles your cucumbers look so healthy and vibrant! I notice ours do better outside in the shade 🤔😄 I'm so sorry to hear about your Facebook page and I it gets sorted! 🙏🏼

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I(interesting, and I am hoping!

[@nathanpickett7224]

Nice boots. 😅 Great video, thank you, Charles.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Glad you like them and thanks Nathan 😀

[@lllCostalll]

Hello, what is the deal with male flowers? Take it off, keep it, conflicting information, on ridge or trailing cucumbers and F1 varieties. Could you explain? Thank you for all your work online.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good point, and leave all of them, except on open pollinated cordon cucumbers, such as Telegraph. Those ones need removing as soon as seen, otherwise, cucumbers are bitter. Most of us can ignore the flowers, including on ridge cucumbers, all fine.

[@stevendowden2579]

most enjoyable charles

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am glad you enjoyed it Steven

[@franksinatra1070]

My first cucmber plantings were a disappointment this year. They developed bacterial wilt early and died off the end of July after getting a very early start in the beginning of June. Last year the same plants produced into October. I'll be planting them back to the same plase as I did last year next year.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is so disappointing, and I wonder if it's to do with your wet summer. Which means lack of sunshine to dry the plants - they do not like constant heavy moisture.

[@franksinatra1070]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig You may have me mixed up sith someone else Charles. I'm in the mid-Atlantic USA near Philly and most of the summer has been hot and dry. We finally received some beneficial rains this past week so it wasn't too much rain that killed them.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah I see!

[@iliketoms]

Hi Charles the string I've used this year is disintegrating (polypropylene) can you tell me who supplies yours thanks

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Oh dear. Mine came from a horse yard, was from their hay bales

[@GARDENER42]

I've already had 5kg of gherkins from four plants & nobody seems to want the rest, so sadly, both plants & remaining gherkins are due to head for the compost heap. Meanwhile, both Marketmore & my long cucumbers are romping away. Good information on taking out every other node.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I'm happy that you have good growth up in Cumbria! Yes, gherkins are not a British thing!

[@zielonerabaty]

Beautiful garden 💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you Zielone

[@jamesmcbride2929]

A quick question. What video was that Phillip Callahan tower in?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Afraid I do not remember

[@KatrineRav]

Has anyone had luck finding the Joy Michaud study Charles was talking about? 😊 Or any other research on leaf placement and photosynthetic efficiency? I previously thought that older, healthy leaves were as efficient as younger ones, so I usually left them on. Now I'm curious to learn more😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, I shall ask her

[@jacobfarmer6762]

Best thumbnail 2024. This is a great day.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@TheDhammaHub]

Hey Charles! I just looked up the variety you mentioned and is it really worth the price? A seed package of just 4-5 costs like 15 euro here! For most of the other varieties I get at least 4 plants for roughly 5-6 Euro

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wow that's a lot, mine are less. Even at £1 per seed, worth it.

[@sandermartens378]

What cultivar do you grow Charles?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Carmen F1. Many details are in the description

[@susanwinslow9361]

Thank you

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are welcome Susan

[@crazycurtle]

Looking good! Mine are doing nicely this year as well, outdoors. Started some seeds of a couple new Cuke varieties and some new Heirloom Indeterminate Tomatoes last week to attempt a second crop here in Southern California. My primary tomatoes are in their 3rd year but their production is starting to dwindle and a few succumbed to disease and pests . I've always seemed to have success for multiple years with tomatoes here since the winters are very mild. I'm going to see how long I can nurse some Cukes along as well, hence trying a variety of them. Do you believe it would be possible? It seems the best location I have is close to my house where it is just a little warmer through the night.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

For your tomatoes, this is amazing! However, I'm not sure about the cucumbers because they are much more tender than tomatoes, and definitely need warm nights. Best of luck.

[@JennyReeves-p2c]

Thank you for the tips, do you have a video or any tips on storing the cucumbers, ours are the outside varieties but go soft within 2 days of harvest? Also I appreciate this is F1 but do you grow any others to harvest seed or is it not worth it with cucumbers

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Not yet but I just keep them in an outdoor building where are the air is humid. Your climate might be dryer and maybe keep them in a polythene bag. My outdoor cucumbers are not F1 and I do keep seed from them if it's a hot enough summer!

[@JennyReeves-p2c]

Thank you I’ll give that a go!

[@tinkeringinthailand8147]

Great Video Charles, and very relevant to me as I have begun cropping my cucumbers. I'm not sure why but I have a few stems that have split, it doesn't seem to have affected the plants but it is a little worrying. Any ideas?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, and I never saw that, maybe to do with your heat/humidity

[@kevinbazan1623]

My friend, Charles: where do you find your great intro and transition music for your videos? Many thanks, sir. Cheers! 🍻~Kevin, Michigan, US

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good question Kevin. I have a new videographer, but I think she's using the same music, by Edward's friend, Rory Dunwoody

[@barbsnyder1352]

I have cukes growing on my fence. Tons of flowers, lots of bees, no cucumbers at all. Whats up? Most temps betwee 78-84. Abit cloudy, i water well. Please let me know what is wrong.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

How puzzling, and all I can think is, it's a soil/nutrient problem, plants needing more of something.

[@Tawadeb]

Hello from new Zealand

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😍

[@Tawadeb]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig It's very cold and damp in Wellington. Good for weeding and mulching though!

[@luisagarcia3961]

Maravilhoso a sua dedicação obrigado querido ❤

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Obrigado Luisa

[@jean-pierregesquiere533]

Vive les concombres 😋😋

[@kennethbrush7300]

What would you estimate as the number of man hours it takes to run your garden in season? You AND your assistants?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

About 110 hours

[@GardeningandMyDailyLife]

Bạn trồng dưa leo rất khoa học ,sản lượng thu hoạch cao và chất lượng dưa nhìn rất ngon .

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều. Tôi cần phải khoa học về vấn đề này vì khí hậu của chúng tôi mát hơn nhiều so với bạn và họ cần mọi sự động viên. Mọi chi tiết đều phải chính xác!

[@MamaZeeto_623]

Love it thank you 🙏🏼 💜

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@piashadononfroy1261]

MR. CHARLES IT IS AN HONOR AND IM VERY PLEASED TO MEET YOUR ACQUAINTANCE SIR. I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF PLAINTING IN THE DESERT FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND HAVE INTRODUCED SEVERAL OF YOUR METHODS OUT HERE IN THE LAND OF THE ENCHANTED DRYNESS🤣BUT NEW MEXICO IS VERY RICH AND HAS A LOT TO OFFER. WE HAVE SEVERAL CASH CROPS AND USE A LOT OF INDIGENOUS HERBS AND WILD EDIBLES OUT HERE❤I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU SIR YOU ARE THE GOAT OF THE PLANT ☘️ INDUSTRY❤

[@RichardTaylorgardening]

What a nice coment check out the soil food web for difficult soil happy gardening Richardx

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thank you so much, and this is lovely to hear. I'm impressed that you can use some of my methods! And I wish you well, plus a little bit of rain!

[@andymancan6476]

Thanks, plenty to think about there. One point, if you’re growing F1 they are Not Organic. You need organic seed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am not organic registered, fair point

[@carlduffin]

Can't see what this has to do with cut and drop?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cut off the lower leaves, drop the main stem down.

[@tedbastwock3810]

7nth!!! Unngghh I only missed the release by 2O minutes and I still cant be first ... cant wait to watch, will be watching soon!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

😀 enjoy Ted

[@dragoncarver287]

I'm guessing that Carmen F1 is just producing female fruits and no need for polination? Bees would find it hard to even find the flowers in a tunnel. I grow my cukes pretty crowded but do trellis them up a string. (open pollinated Straight 8 ) It just seemed logical to make a patch that had lots of flowers to attract bees for pollinating. I do save seeds. 3rd year for these.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, but there are always plenty of insects in the polytunnel. This year I have flowers everywhere, but many fewer insects unfortunately.

[@artstamper316]

Oh good. So you ARE supposed to prune cucumbers. How have I missed that despite watching you for over a year? 😅

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes, but notice it's only the under cover cucumber plants, and I'm going to put up a short about not pruning the outdoor, ridge cucumbers!

[@patriciacasco614]

hola Charles, There are other chanel with yours videos in spanish, do you know this? Do you support and them have your permiso, for traslate yours videos a spanish? The name is Jardineria con Charles Dowding. Do you know about this?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes I do thanks and I work with them!

[@FloraM44]

I've been having a hard time getting my cucumber plants to grow past about 20cm. They seem to stunt, get a few flowers, then yellow and die. I don't know why!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It depends where you are, but I suspect you may be overwatering. Unless it's warm, say 22C+ by day, the growth is slow and roots can rot.

[@FloraM44]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Thanks for the response! I'm near Niagara Falls Ontario Canada, and we've been having a hot but very wet summer. We'll get drenched and flooding rains, then it's sunny and super hot (30s) for a few days. But the puddles are still around (lots of clay in the soil), so I'm never sure when to start watering again.. the top inch seems dry in some spots. Since they're young plants without deep roots yet, I'm always wondering if I need to. Any way I can tell when they're ready to water again?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I would just no water! Instead, spread 2-3cm compost on the surface to protect it

[@FloraM44]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig Okay I'll do that - thank you for your help! Hope you had a lovely weekend 😊

[@mariamacdonald-bell8251]

Great video as usual. But did you know F1 seeds are GMO seeds!!!If the packet has DEFRA and F1=GMO.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I did not know, packet does not say Defra

[@Soittolista96]

What does DEFRA stand for? A seed packet that says F1 doesn't mean it's GMO, it means that the seeds are first generation hybrid and won't grow true from seed (which has nothing to do with GMO, it's a naturally occurring process that can literally happen if a bee pollinates two different varieties next to each other).

[@mariamacdonald-bell8251]

DEFRA…is in very small writing on the packet.

[@soniamartinez8912]

Tengo una duda espero me lea hay un canal con su contenido en la Español es suyo? O alguien esta usando y traduciendo?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sí, y estoy trabajando con ellos, así que es una colaboración y se puede confiar en ello. ¡Se ve raro que hable español! Con una voz diferente... Y también habrá una en francés, y en alemán, y creo que pronto habrá una en italiano.

[@soniamartinez8912]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig genial gracias por pensar en el público que habla otros idiomas

[@kummiekins]

Minty!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Reluctant star, I had to hold her tight!

[@anastasia9797]

👍👍👍

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@erbterb]

While others copy paste open mouth thunbnails, dowding reaches new heights, literally, with a high on catnip thumbnail. I did not know you had it in you. On par with cheech and chong. You will attract a whole new audience in the form of recreational growers. Probably from canada.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Brilliant thanks 😂

[@videovideo166]

💚💚💚💚

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@annakaymccaleb6570]

❤❤❤😊

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

💚

[@-jz5mm]

Would keep if the filming followedwhat you were doing taking out every 2nd node

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

It was her first day filming

[@katipohl2431]

Carmen F1 im GH

[@friendsnotfood563]

That facial expression. 🥴🤣 Made me have to watch to find it again 🥴😱

[@friendsnotfood563]

Actually thinking about it i think the wind may of changed direction, thats all i can put it down to 😂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks you are making me smile!

[@whatnow8362]

That thumbnail is clickbait! Where’s the puppy? I need the puppy! 😂

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Haha no puppy!

[@Permajourney]

​Um... it's a cat 😅 @whatnow8362

[@ellenmariekarlsen3318]

Scammers payback contact them they can maybe help your side.

[@parabolikadocosmos]

Aaahhhmm,no dig...

[@BrickStationNZ-iu9dq]

Am I the only one who clicked to find out the cats name? 😅😅

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Ah wow, she is Minty. This photo was not planned, but she appeared just as we were taking a few 😀

[@JadUrFired]

I also tried melons and cucumbers on string this year and its working beautifully, however I am having issues with tomatoes on string. When they reach the top and I lower them a few of those tomato stems cracked in the loop of the stem and one even cracked in half. Any tips to battle this issue?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Sorry to hear that. It could be many factors, such as variety, soil, fertility, and moisture levels. All I can say is that I’ve done this hundreds of times with tons of different varieties and I’ve never had that happen except once, when I forced it down, and container grown plant