Cucumbers planted using mulch with overhead, seepage or drip irrigation are usually

planted as a second crop following pepper, tomato, or eggplant. Cucumbers can benefit from

any residual effects of methyl bromide and any remaining fertilizers. It is important to

remember that there is no residual methyl bromide in the soil, however if properly applied,

population of weeds and soilborne pathogens may be reduced to the extent that the second crop

can derive benefits from the application for the first crop.

 Large growers use vacuum seeders which cut a hole in the plastic and places the seed in

the hole. Smaller growers use a barrel which rolls along and punches a hole in the plastic, and

laborers riding behind the barrel manually place seeds in the hole. In non-mulched cucumber

production, a standard seeder can be used. Plantings are arranged with one row per bed, three

to four seeds per location, and approximately four feet between plants. Plug mix can also be

used, however, using plug mix is not considered a common practice.

 At the end of the season of a full-bed mulch system, a machine can be used to remove

the plastic, while a cutter bar simultaneously eliminates any remaining cucumber vines.


Diseases

 A cucumber crop may be grown as a second crop following a tomato, eggplant or pepper

crop. In this way, cucumbers are grown in a double cropping system using the full-bed mulch

system. Residual benefits of methyl bromide can be derived from the application for the first

crop. As a result of the initial application of methyl bromide, residual benefits can include a

decrease in populations of soilborne diseases, for the period of time in which the cucumber crop

can be successfully grown. An increase in disease activity such as damping-off and fusarium

wilt may result in the event that methyl bromide is no longer available.