Help for cucumber prob prevention?

[desertgirl]

This year we've planted qiote a bit of cucs and dill, in the hopes of making our slightly famous homemade pickles. Any tips to keep the many problems they can have at bay. All input welcome!


(P.S.
I'm planning on planting marigolds,radishes and dill around them...)

 

[vfem]

Radishes did a world of good for me!

 

[desertgirl]

Done!!!!

 

[hoodat]

In my experience the worst cuke problem is powdery mildew. Make sure not only the leaves but the soil surface is dry by sundown. Frequent loosening of the surface can help it dry faster. Your soil can be dry at the surface and still have plenty of water under that. The Japanese farmers in California invented a method called "dust mulching" where the soil at the surface is kept loose and dry. The loose surface soil will not take up water from the moister soil beneath it so your plants leaves will not be in high humidity.