Cucumber 'Crystal Lemon'

A fascinating heritage variety that produces round, golf-ball-sized fruits which resemble lemons in both shape and colour. Despite its appearance, the flavour is mild, sweet, and completely lacks the bitterness often associated with older greenhouse cucumbers. 'Crystal Lemon' is particularly well-suited to the UK climate as it can be grown successfully outdoors in a sheltered, sunny spot, though it also thrives in a cold glasshouse. The vines are vigorous and can be left to trail across the ground or trained up a support to save space. The thin skins mean there is no need to peel the fruits, making them perfect for salads or as a novel snack. It is a prolific cropper, often producing fruits well into September if harvested regularly. It requires plenty of water and a high-potash feed once the fruits begin to form. This variety is generally more resistant to powdery mildew than many modern long-fruited types.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, humus-heavy, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.