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Quick Facts
- Sowing window
- Sow indoors in late April, or direct outside in late May to early June once soil is warm.
- Harvest window
- Pick outdoor slicing cucumbers regularly from July to September.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Container suitability
- Grow one Marketmore plant in a container of at least 25–30 litres and about 35cm wide, using rich peat-free compost. Train it up netting or a sturdy trellis to save space and keep fruits clean.
- Frost sensitivity
- Frost tender
- Typical time to harvest
- Marketmore usually begins cropping about 12–16 weeks after sowing. Pick fruits regularly from July to September before they become oversized or seedy.
SOW
When to Sow Cucumber Marketmore in the UK
Sow indoors in late April, or direct outside in late May to early June once soil is warm.
Use that window as a practical starting point rather than a fixed deadline. In colder or exposed areas, delay outdoor sowing and planting; in mild sheltered areas, the earlier end of the range may work. Tender crops should remain protected until frost risk has passed.
Sowing Indoors
Sow Marketmore cucumber on its side, about 1–2cm deep, in individual pots in late April. Keep warm but not saturated, and avoid disturbing the roots when moving to the final container.
Sowing Outdoors
Direct sow in late May or early June only after the soil is warm and frost risk has passed. Protect young plants from wind and slugs and keep a backup plant until establishment.
PLANT
Spacing and Planting Out
Allow about 45–60cm between plants. Train vertically and tie stems loosely; Marketmore is an outdoor ridge cucumber and does not need its male flowers removed.
Before planting outside, harden off indoor-raised plants over 7–10 days unless the crop is fully hardy and already accustomed to outdoor conditions. Water the planting hole or container first and avoid leaving young roots exposed to sun or wind.
SMALL SPACES
Growing Cucumber Marketmore in Pots and Containers
Grow one Marketmore plant in a container of at least 25–30 litres and about 35cm wide, using rich peat-free compost. Train it up netting or a sturdy trellis to save space and keep fruits clean.
Container checklist
- Use drainage holes and raise pots slightly so surplus water can escape.
- Fill with fresh peat-free compost suited to edible crops.
- Leave a watering lip below the rim and check pots more often in sun or wind.
- Use a strong support at planting time if the mature crop will climb or become top-heavy.
CARE
Watering and Feeding
Cucumbers are thirsty. Water deeply and consistently at the base, especially as fruits swell, and feed weekly with a high-potash liquid feed once flowering starts.
Variety note: Plant in a warm sheltered site, water generously and train vertically to save ground space and keep fruit clean.
WATCH FOR
Common Problems
Powdery mildew
White leaf patches are encouraged by dry roots and poor airflow. Keep watering steady and remove badly affected leaves without stripping the plant.
Bitter or misshapen fruit
Irregular watering, cold stress or incomplete pollination can affect fruit. Maintain moisture and allow pollinating insects access.
Slugs and snails
Tender young plants are vulnerable. Check at dusk and protect pots while seedlings establish.
PICK
Harvesting Cucumber Marketmore
Pick outdoor slicing cucumbers regularly from July to September.
Marketmore usually begins cropping about 12–16 weeks after sowing. Pick fruits regularly from July to September before they become oversized or seedy. Harvest in the coolest part of the day where practical and handle produce gently. Regular picking encourages continued cropping in fruiting and cut-and-come-again plants.
GROW TOGETHER
Companion Plants
Dill, nasturtium and calendula can flower nearby and make a useful mixed container display. Give cucumber roots their own generous compost volume and do not rely on companion plants as pest control.
QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Cucumber Marketmore in pots?
Grow one Marketmore plant in a container of at least 25–30 litres and about 35cm wide, using rich peat-free compost. Train it up netting or a sturdy trellis to save space and keep fruits clean.
How long does Cucumber Marketmore take to harvest?
Marketmore usually begins cropping about 12–16 weeks after sowing. Pick fruits regularly from July to September before they become oversized or seedy.
Does Marketmore cucumber need a greenhouse?
No. Marketmore is bred as an outdoor ridge cucumber, although a warm sheltered site and an early indoor start improve reliability in cooler UK areas.