"Beit Alpha" Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Beit Alpha is a legendary cucumber that was developed over many years on a kibbutz in Israel. Originally bred to withstand the challenges of an arid landscape, Beit Alpha was selected by a collaboration of farmers and is a triumphant demonstration of what collective small scale breeding efforts can achieve. Beit Alpha created an entirely new class of cucumbers and is to this day one of the most popular cucumber “types” around the globe. Beit Alpha is an absolutely delicious, very disease resistant and high yielding plant. A parthenocarpic variety which is suitable for greenhouse production. The sophistication of rigorous selection and open pollinated breeding shines through the exemplary variety, Beit Alpha.

Growing Instructions:

Sow indoors 2 to 3 weeks before setting out after last frost or direct seed after last frost. You may want to plant two plantings of cucumbers a month apart to extend cucumber season.

Space plants 8" apart.

If allowing vines to grow on the ground, give 36" between rows. We recommend trellising cucumbers for better fruit quality and plant health. Trellising also saves space to plant other crops where vines would otherwise occupy.

Amend soil with good compost. We also recommend a fall or spring cover crop of peas or another annual legume to fix nitrogen in the soil where the cucumbers will be planted.

Mulching cucumbers is a good idea, however mulching in mid spring will keep soil temperature cooler and may slow growth. Mulching can be done once soil has warmed. Make sure soil pH is between 5.8 and 7.0. If plant needs a growing boost, water with nitrogen tea or compost tea a few times. If trace minerals are inadequate, sprinkle a small amount of woodash in each planting hole.

Harvest:

Harvest cucumbers when they are between 4" and 7" depending on preference.