I live in a challenging climate for cucumbers, and I have found that the variety you choose makes a great deal of difference. Even some "burpless" varieties can easily turn bitter here. My favorite variety is "Summer Dance", sold by Pinetree and others. I have also tried "Summer Top" for earlier fruit, and it remains non-bitter but I think that Summer Dance has a little better flavor and texture. Summer Top is vigorous, though. There is also a new "Southern Delight" hybrid out which I haven't tried yet. In our climate, true cucumbers do far better when grown vertically. They can be grown in part shade here. In Mexico, cukes are sometimes grown under corn. The Armenian cucumbers will never be bitter because they're really melons. Sandhill sells a selected variety called "Duke". Baker Creek calls this type of "cucumber" a "Mekti". They offer white, painted serpent and dark green versions. The familiar scalloped light-colored Armenian cucumber does well here. I have only grown a "painted serpent" type once, and it was later, not as productive, had softer, smoother skin (not a negative) and a somewhat apple-like flavor. That brown cuke from India does fine here, too. The hybrid gherkin "Cool Breeze" doesn't get bitter, but doesn't last long into the season due to disease pressure. It's nice for early fruit or pickling. I have also used unripe "Piel de Sapo" type melons as a sort of sweet cucumber, while neighbors have used immature honeydew melon.

Thanks! Stuffradio, the Pac Choi is actually Fordhook Giant Chard. :) I love the galvanized tubs as well loribee! IMO they cant be beat for the price. They should last a long, long, time. Hopefully my lettuce doesn't bolt in the heat we are expecting this week! I have misters set up to try to keep them cool!

Bitterness in brassicas usually means a stressed plant. Stress can occur from excess heat, drought., disease, or insect damage. In the south heat is a major factor when one tries to grow broccoli in the summer. You need a fast maturing variety, Packman, Blue Wind, Bay Meadows. and you need to transplant a couple of weeks before your last frost date. Bt or row covers will take care of more persistant insects like cabbge worms and cabbage loopers. In this part of georgia, Spring harvest ends in June. Start again in September for late fall, winter harvest. You can use longer season varieties in the fall. You can use broccoli anytime the heads or florets are large enogh for your use. Quality deterioates fast when the flowers start to open.

Oh my. What is a passionate rose lover like you doing in that glacial hell hole? Reading about your endeavors has exhausted me and I haven't even lifted a shovel. I admire your grit and determination, but would love to see you rewarded with thousands of blooms on your rose bushes for all your hard work. I bet they could use engineers in zones 7 to 10!