Helpful hints to keep you out of a Pickle

Though, I by NO MEANS claim to be a gardening guru, an environmental expert, or nature whisperer OF ANY SORTS lol, I do want to share my recent adventures in growing my very first batch of cucumbers with anyone interested in doing so themselves. Like previously stated in my intro blog, I once was a cold-blooded plant killer! I'm not proud of the lil lives that ceased to be or the numerous casualties committed while I honed in on my inner green thumb, but it is what it is or was what it was.... and at least now, I think most plants have a pretty fair chance with me as a good little gardening mum! Nurturing them happily along into the beauts they will become on this lovely spot in the world :) So, yeah maybe I'm a tad overzealous about my recent success in being able to grow ANYTHING or keep any plant form alive, but I know plenty of gardening newbies that could use as much help as they can get!(I once was one of those couldn't keep a cactus alive people too, and I still encourage any and ALL information, tips, and true expertise to help me grow as a gardener or just a better, more eco-friendly human being... see what I did there hehe, I'm a cheeseball, I know right!) Moving on to a few helpful tips for the first time cucumber grower:

 These are two from my very own garden and they looked and tasted much better than the tiny store bought ones I had in my fridge, but that might have all just been in my head :)

 though my photography skills are a bit lacking, here is proof of the cucumbers latching onto a nearby branch

 They have literally taken over ....

 They actually battle it out with everything within their reach so give them room lol

     1. If planted in good, decent soil in mounds or hills (not flat level ground or planted in a hole like most plants) with ample sunlight and water, Cucumbers will GROW. This meaning, be extra sure to give them sufficient space to sprawl out because A. they will sprawl either way B. they will take over and even possibly smother other plants nearby including the other cucumbers searching for their lil spot in the sunlight. No joke! Since my growing or gardening experience hasn't always been successful, I didn't heed some of the internet advice that I had discovered. I almost assumed that my cucumbers wouldn't be very successful lol. This being said....BELIEVE ME, these guys want plenty of space and they should even be given a little extra room in your garden to prevent UFC style battles with other cucumbers or nearby plants and structures. If you have the room, give it to them and plant them approx 8 in. apart about three/four seeds per mound.

     2. Cucumbers are climbers. So give them lattice, a ladder, or something to climb upwards on. I'm not talking a tiny structure, I'm talking height!!! My cucumbers have actually climbed up so much that they have latched onto nearby tree branches, No Joke! Give them horizontal space and plenty of vertical space to latch onto.    

     3.These little guys like plenty of sun and a good, frequent drink of water. I water mine daily unless it rained that day than that amount should be substantial, but if it was just a little sprinkle and they look dry or thirsty water them. Just like anything else though too much of a good thing is bad. Don't over water them and don't neglect to give them a drink on a hot, sunny day.