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Common Problems To Know Before Adding Cucumbers To Your Garden
By KRISTEEN CHERNEY
Cucumber Beetles
These beetles damage both the fruit and foliage of cucumbers. The striped variety is the most dangerous because they emit a bacteria that causes the plants to wilt.
Adding mulch around your plants, removing debris, and using row covers can help prevent the beetles from destroying your plants. Pesticides should only be used as a last resort.
Diseases
Cucumber plants are particularly prone to a whole host of fungal, viral, and bacterial diseases, including downy mildew, powdery mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus.
Keep an eye out for any early signs of disease and remove the affected areas immediately. Consider choosing a hardier variety of cucumber plants that are resistant to disease.
Squash Bugs
Young cucumber plants are vulnerable to squash bug damage because the insects eat the plants’ sap and interrupt its ability to get nutrients from the soil or water.
If you have only a few squash bugs in your garden, you can remove them by hand. Otherwise, lay out pieces of board for them to hide in overnight and dispose of them in the morning.