Planting Tips: Plant cucumber seeds about six inches apart in rows, or make small hills with five seeds each, spaced about six feet apart down the row. We like to train our cucumbers up a trellis so the fruits grow straight and are easy to see and harvest. While cucumbers naturally like to climb, they’ll need gentle guidance — weave the vines into the trellis carefully, as they can snap easily.

Harvesting Tips: Harvest fruits while young for pickling, or let them grow larger for slicing cucumbers.

Seed Saving Tips: Allow a few fruits to grow very large and turn golden. Late in the season, harvest these “boats,” cut them in half lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds into a bowl. Add warm water and let the mixture ferment for about three days at room temperature. Afterward, pour it into a fine wire sieve and rinse under warm water, rubbing the pulp through gently with your fingertips. Spread the clean seeds on a plastic plate to dry thoroughly, then store them in an airtight, rodent- and insect-proof container.