Cucumber - Marketmore 76

Marketmore There are several varieties of Marketmore Cucumbers, the number indicates the particular variety’s release date. It was developed at Cornell University in 1968, and improved on in 1970, 1976, and 1997. This is a high yield cucumber producing early crops of long cucumbers. Great as a slicing or pickling cucumber. They are best harvested at 6 to 8 inches in length. Grows to 10” tall with a vine spread of 3 to 4 feet. This cucumber is resistant to Downey Mildew diseases.  

Planting Tips Direct sow after the threat of frost has passed. Plant in full sun and provide about 1 inch of water per week. Indoor start the seeds 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting them outside; 1 or 2 seeds per cell, thinning to 1 plant per cell when true leaves begin to form. Cucumbers can be planted in hills or for a small garden, planted near a fence or trellis,18 inches apart and train them to climb. This gives the vines room to grow and makes for easier harvesting. Once the plant is producing fruit, harvest it often. This will produce more fruit. Seed Planting Depth ½ inch Seed Spacing 5 seeds per hill Days to Germination 8-10 days Plants per Hill Thin to 3 per hill Hill Size 12 inches high by 2 ft wide Hill Spacing 4 ft. 

Saving Seeds If you save cucumber seeds, it is best to plant one type of cucumber per year. Otherwise, this plant may cross pollinate. Allow cucumbers to mature on the vine if possible. Once the color changes to yellow or orange, they will need to continue maturing on the vine or in a container until soft to the touch. Halve the fruit, place the pulp, seeds and water in an open container and allow this to ferment for 3 days at a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees. Next, add fresh water to the mixture and stir. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom allowing anything floating to be poured off. Place seeds on a coffee filter until the seeds easily snap. Store dry seeds in an airtight container in a cool dry place. Properly stored seeds are viable for up to 5 years.