First cucumber of the season...

I wish I remembered what kind... Suyo? Probably Southern Delight... in any case, this "style" of cucumber (Asian long) is the best for Central Florida potage... I grow mine up rebar trellises, and embrace the idea that you cannot overwater a cucumber... Lots more on the way.

Later: Tasty Jade. Almost certain it's a Tasty Jade. What a vigorous, fruitful, and early plant! From Johnnys.

Bleg: Rattlesnake Beans?

I'm out of Rattlesnake pole beans. Don't feel like spending the money for a packet with shipping and handling... I just forgot to save back some seed last year. I'll trade anyone out there some great Florida-friendly seeds (tomatoes? cukes? chard? kale? You name it!) for a couple handfuls of Rattlesnakes... Just drop me a note at centralfloridagardener@gmail.com!

Fortex beans... a great bean for Central Florida

First beans of the season. These are Fortex, a hybrid I think. Anyway HUGE beans (8" isn't uncommon) that stay tender. Very prolific and great tolerant of heat and drought.

From Johnnys...

Fortex

Product ID: 34

Early, dependable pole bean with an extended harvest period.

Growing to over 11", Fortex produces extra long, round pods. Early and very productive, the beans may be picked at 7" in length for extra slender, "filet" beans. Dark green, firm-textured pods are completely stringless and delicious at all lengths, even after the seeds enlarge. Walnut brown seeds. Avg. 1,250 seeds/lb. Packet: 50 seeds.

Beets & Potatoes...

I really love Chioggia beets in the Florida garden... I've grown several kinds, including the standard Detroit. In the end, Chioggia do the best for me. My Slavic nature makes me wary of any beet that doesn't stain your hands red, but Chioggia are so pretty I can forgive them. Anyway, my potato culture is pretty simple: All winter long, anytime a potato looks hinky, I plug it into the row of leaf must and compost along one edge of my garden. I know it's time to scrabble when the potato leaves start to decline... Very productive crop, of course, even here in Florida...