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Cucumber?

LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
in Fruit & veg
I have a lot of what I think are cucumber plants growing in my bean bed, from the compost. Also tomatoes. 
Is this a cucumber? Could it be anything else (the only other similar thing we eat is courgette and they tend to get used all in one go with no waste)? Should I keep one and grow it on (there's a bit of space at the end of the bed, though probably not an ideal amount)? How likely is it to taste horrible if it's from a supermarket cucumber? What about potting up the other seedlings for my neighbours - too risky?


'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero
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  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Lucky find,  difficult to say if it’s a cucumber could be courgette,  they all look the same to me until they’ve grown a bit.
    Have you put tomato or cucumber waste on your compost,  I used to have tomato plants growing everywhere,  I don’t put pips in the compost anymore.
    You can transfer them to somewhere more suitable,  worth a try,  nothing lost if you have some space. 
    I think it’s a bit late for the tomatoes to do much now,  times getting on. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • scrogginscroggin Posts: 437
    If I was a betting man I'd put money on it being a courgette rather than a cucumber, going by the shape of the true leaf and size of the first leaves. In my experience the first seedling leaves on cucumbers are much smaller.
  • scrogginscroggin Posts: 437

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Thank you both. There are even more growing now! Which is what makes me think cucumber, as very little courgette (and therefore very few seeds) end up in the compost. Whereas it has been known for quite sizeable chunks of cucumber to get forgotten and then chucked (I hate them so it's not me that should be remembering). 

    Oh hang on... How about butternut squash? Quite often a lot of their seeds go in... Whatever they are there's a whole bunch of seeds together that clearly didn't fully break down in the compost!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I was just going to ask if you eat squash?  That’s what I think they are  I’d grow a few of those on and see what you get 🎃 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • EmptyheadtimeEmptyheadtime Posts: 366
    Yep, if they are not courgette then I would put my money on butternut squash.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I haven't got room for a few! But I could grow one on. How likely do you think it is that they'll be OK - should I scrap the others or offer them to my neighbours?
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • EmptyheadtimeEmptyheadtime Posts: 366
    I have never transplanted squash seeds but no harm in trying. I would water the area with the seedlings first then gentle lift/divide the seedlings. For the seedling you want to keep (the one with its first true leave would be my choice) I would lift as much of the surrounding area/soil with it as you can then move it and water it in well in its new spot. It may sulk a bit but should recover. You may lose/sacrifice a few seedlings close to this one in order to save it but you could try potting on the others if you wanted, but if you don’t have the room there’s not much point IMO.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You can grow them upwards … up a framework of canes and twine. Monty showed how on Friday. They take much less space that way. I’d grow at least two on to help pollination. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Apologies - I don't seem to be getting notifications so hadn't seen these responses until now. I'll see what I can rig up!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
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