You'll likely be familiar with the growing habits of the humble cucumber, but if you want to bring some intrigue to your yard this year, there's one species that you need to try. Master gardener Niki Jabbour recently took to Instagram to share a peek into her own vegetable patch, and you'll notice a surprising addition: the dragon's egg cucumber.
As the name suggests, dragon's egg cucumbers yield round, pale green fruits that are egg-shaped rather than cylindrical. They are early-maturing, prolific growers, and the cucumbers themselves are renowned for their mild, faintly sweet taste.
So, while you might know how to grow cucumbers, you may be less acquainted with this intriguing variety – but you'll find plenty of tips on how to grow a dragon's egg cucumber below. (And if you're tempted, you can find dragon's egg cucumber seeds at Etsy.)
How to Grow a Dragon's Egg Cucumber, According to Niki Jabbour
In an Instagram video posted in early May, Niki Jabbour offered a glimpse into her thriving vegetable garden – and the dragon's egg cucumber takes center stage.
'Here's a fun veggie to grow: dragon's egg cucumber,' she writes in the caption. 'The unique fruits are cream to pale green, perfectly oval, and smooth skinned.'
Dragon's egg cucumbers also claim a spot in Niki's guide to heirloom seeds, which she shared on her blog, Savvy Gardening.
'In my own vegetable garden, many of our favorite crops are heirloom varieties,' she explains. 'There are many vegetables with varieties having unusual hues and/or shapes, such as Dragon’s Egg cucumber.'
Niki's biggest tip? 'As you select seeds to grow, don’t forget to pay attention to information like days to maturity, plant size, and disease resistance,' she advises.
When to Plant Dragon's Egg Cucumbers
Knowing when to plant cucumber seeds is key – and just like more common varieties, dragon's egg cucumbers should be planted once the risk of frost has passed. Sow the seeds indoors or in a greenhouse, then transplant in warm weather (after hardening off the seedlings for a few days).
You can grow these cucumbers in pots in small spaces, if you like; plus, dragon's egg cucumbers can also be grown vertically, for a more striking display in your yard.
Make sure to use rich, well-draining soil (like Burpee's organic potting mix) and position your cucumbers in full sun. Keep the soil consistently moist, watering little but often; you can use a soil moisture meter, like this one from Walmart, to prevent any second-guessing.
When to Harvest the Fruit
As Niki notes, dragon's egg cucumbers are an early-maturing heirloom species that you can harvest after just a few months.
'They form long vines that start to yield crispy cukes just 60 days from seeding,' she writes. 'Pick the cucumbers when they’re 3 to 4 inches long and pick often to promote the largest harvest.'
What to Shop
This 10-10-10 plant food is brilliant for fertilizing cucumbers, though it can also be used on trees, flowers and shrubs. It's best applied immediately after planting.
Once your cucumber plants start to produce fruit, you'll want to switch to a specialized feed like this one. In fact, anything designed for tomatoes is ideal (since it will be rich in potassium).
If you fancy using a trellis to grow your cucumbers, this one is an excellent choice. It's a reliable addition to any vegetable patch, and it's impressively easy to assemble.
Want to get the most out of your vegetable patch this year? Check out our guide to cucumber companion planting, or read up on the best vegetables to choose to get the biggest yields.
