My two cucumber plants are growing well but I've not really left them enough space - I'm used to growing in pots rather than the growbags I got to use this year to save shifting heavy pots later and to save money on compost. I can just about get the watering can nozzle between all the leaves and into the compost for watering and even though I nipped off some growing tips the plants are still heading across the floor and will soon be out the door!
There were definitely two cucumbers hiding among the leaves but turned out there were 5. [These are the two plants that I bought at a boot sale and are they shorter rather than longer variety].
Plenty enough to make some of the Sweet and Sour Cucumber pickle that I enjoyed so much last winter. The recipe is on the separate recipe page but I decided not to use onions in it this year as I like the chunks of cucumber and celery but the small bits of onion are a pain to fish out of the jar ( I need a Victorian pickle spoon - those Victorians had something for every eventuality!). I also don't use the cloves.
It made just 3 and a bit 12oz jars, which won't last me long through the winter so I'm hoping for another good flush of cucumbers to make more.
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The pickle looks very delicious.
ReplyDeleteI think the best thing for a home is to have handmade things!!
I don't do as many chutneys etc now I'm on my own, I used to make all sorts
DeleteI've enjoyed my first homegrown cucumbers this year. I love my Victorian sugar tongs, which also get used for fishing small onions out of jars. My 1950s cherry stoner gets a lot of use with cherries, olives and small plums too
ReplyDeleteI remember I had a cherry stoner - it used to make cherry juice splashes everywhere!
DeleteI didn't realise you had a recipe page, just clicked over and will definitely be trying some of them out. I make ' bread and butter' cucumber pickles, no idea why it's called that. We like them but they don't keep for a long time so I will try your recipe out when our cucumbers are ready.
ReplyDeletePenny
I think Bread and Butter pickle was cucumber sandwiches for winter!
DeleteI wasn't a pickle fan but this recipe isn't so vinegary due to the sugar
Both my cucumbers died, and a couple of my tomato plants are struggling, I think it's down to the tomato compost I using, because the 2 other plants one in the ground and the other in my own compost are both doing well.
ReplyDeleteCompost nowadays leaves a lot to be desired, I think, and it becomes expensive when you lose your precious plants.
DeleteAngie
My sister-in-law has had terrible trouble with Levington's and will not buy it again, after years of using it.
DeleteI'd forgotten about making bread and butter pickle with cucumber. Thanks, Sue, I'll make some with my next one 😉
ReplyDeleteMany people seem to be having success with cucumbers, this year! Your pickle recipe sounds delicious! 😁
ReplyDeleteTempting-looking pickles.
ReplyDeleteI've got a pickle fork somewhere, and sugar tongs and sugar sifter.
Both my cucumber plants failed this year, I think mostly due to the new compost I bought for them, sadly I forgot to put some more seeds in while I still had the chance. The courgettes in the homemade compost and some of last years, are romping away.
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