The general recommendation for cucumbers is to plant after all danger of frost has passed. This is good advice in terms of germination success, and meeting the needs of heat loving cucumbers.
I have found however, that even with disease resistant varieties, that here in NEPA, bacterial wilt can be a common problem.
Bacterial wilt overwinters in striped cucumber beetles, who then feed on cucurbits in the spring when the insects emerge, transmitting the disease in the process.
With bacterial wilt, healthy cucumber plants suddenly wilt and die, even though the plant has been given plenty of water. Prevention is essential since there is no cure for bacterial wilt.
I have found that the easiest solution is to delay planting until the second week of June in our area. When insects hatch a few weeks earlier, there is now no host plant on which to feed.
My first cucumbers are late, but late cucumbers are better than no cucumbers, right?
For more information on plant disease, I recommend Identifying Diseases of Vegetables by MacNab, Sherf & Springer.
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil. You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to buy now.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Shar @ Apron Strings & Lima Beans says
I think this is a great idea. I haven’t had problems with my cukes (although, this is only my second year gardening) but have had problems with acorn squash and zucchini. I’m waiting to plant them until this weekend. Maybe it will make a difference with them too?
susanv says
Although it’s not as commonly affected as cucumbers are, squash can also be affected by bacterial wilt. If this is indeed the disease that your plants have, delayed planting can help.
Agi's Farmhouse Kitchen says
Thanks for the tip, I was going to plant the cukes today! I’ll wait now.
Marlo says
Great idea. I love cucumbers and always have trouble with them. So I am from Ohio? Where are you from? I am wondering if the second week of June applies to me or if I should stretch it a bit?
Thanks for the advice.
susanv says
I’m in NE PA, so I think it would be similar for you, unless you are very far south in OH, in which case I would plant now. Thanks for visiting!
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says
That is a good idea!
Nancy says
Great information! Thank you for sharing at RT this week. 🙂
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says
This is very informative. I’m such a terrible gardener, I know nothing about diseases and pests. I need to learn! Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2Day Wednesday and come back next week to see if you were featured!
Julie says
This was always my grandfather’s council also. He farmed in NW PA.
Carmine says
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox
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Appreciate it!
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Carmine, I apologize, but I think you’ll have to unsubscribe to the comments yourself. There should be a way at the bottom of each email you receive.
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Tere Calantas says
Thanks for the tip. It’s too late now, but I’ll follow your advice next year. My cucumber plants are now wilting before they can produce any cucumbers.
Ola says
Very good information. Lucky me I found your blog by accident (stumbleupon).
I have book-marked it for later!
Leah Rosenthal says
Hi, I was wondering about the best way to kill the cucumber beetles or larvae which ever is better. I’ll pull the plants already wilting, is there anything I can do to save the plants not yet dying?
Thanks, Leah
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Leah, you could try hand picking, or use diatomaceous earth to kill the bugs. Disease is easier to prevent than cure though.