Cucumber
Cucumber is Bangladesh's everyday salad and cooling summer vegetable — Insaf sells 5 varieties.
Cucumber is mostly water, which is why it feels so refreshing on a hot day. It's low in calories, making it a popular light addition to any meal.
A glass of cucumber-lemon sharbat is a familiar sight on iftar tables during Ramadan.
Growing it in Bangladesh
- Sowing time
- Most Insaf varieties are sown from May to October, though Moti Mia is sown in October–November and Lilabati can be planted almost any time of year.
- Weather & soil
- Cucumber needs full sun but hates waterlogging, so loose, well-drained soil is essential. Fungal disease pressure rises in the rainy season, so avoid low, water-logged plots.
- Care
- A trellis keeps vines off the ground and improves both yield and fruit shape
- Water regularly, but never let water stand at the base of the plant
- Picking fruit while still young encourages the vine to keep producing
- Mixing in compost or organic manure before planting keeps plants vigorous