A few weeks ago, we met Mr. Chatama and his English cucumber project, we showed you his beginning, the preparation of the greenhouse, the young plants, and some fundamental information about the cucumbers.  We brought you information on some of the most common pests and diseases that Mr. Chatama must be on his guard against, and we talked about the fundamental care he must give his project to be able to reap the benefits every farmer expects in the end, the harvest. 

Mr. Chatama just reaped the benefits these weeks.  He started his harvest a few weeks back and is still at it.  But harvesting cucumbers is not just picking them off the wine.  You must take care not to damage the plant or the fruit.   You should always use a sharp knife or scissors, to cut the stem of the cucumber, since pulling on it can result in damage to the plant or even pull the roots out of the soil.

After harvest, the best way to store English Cucumbers is to store them in a dark cool spot in the pantry. Cucumbers should not be stored in the fridge. They can suffer chilling injuries and will actually decay faster. The cold also converts the sugars making for a less favorable cucumber.  You can store your English Cucumbers in a dark cool place for up to two weeks.