Also called a Lebanese or Middle Eastern Cucumber, much of the breeding work on these varieties has been done in Israel. The Beit Alpha Cucumber is large, smooth, somewhat blocky, burpless, and a nearly spineless fruit that can either be pickled or eaten fresh. The flavor is very mild. 

 25 seeds

PLANTING

Cucumis sativus

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant 36-48" apart after the last frost. 

Sowing Outdoors: Sow after the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48". 

Harvest: Check and pick every day to keep the harvest flowing.

Tips: The Beit Alpha Cucumber should be planted in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and kept well watered. Trellising the vines allow for good air circulation, takes up less space, and provides shade for heat-sensitive crops like lettuce. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.