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Q&A - Why are my cucumbers bitter this year?

Question:
Why are my cucumbers are bitter this year?

Answer:
Cucumbers make a chemical called cucurbitacin which is bitter. In the summer when temperatures get above 90 degrees, cucumbers are stressed and the cucurbitacin becomes concentrated making the cucumbers bitter. Making sure you water your cucumbers enough will help lower the levels of cucurbitacin. Also planting in a place where they will receive some shade will help the plant stay cooler.

Related Resources:
Growing Cucumbers in the Home Garden
Cucumber bitterness explained
Don't let bitter cucumbers ruin garden harvest
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search