Vegetable

• Crops in : 90 Days

Description

A prolific cropper from British breeding, Marrow Badger Cross produces high yields of easy to see fruit with distinctly marked contrasting stripes of dark and pale green. For Marrow Badger Cross the bonus of Cucumber Mosaic Virus resistance makes this particularly useful, especially for the organic gardener. Seeds are in the RHS Vegetable Collection.

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds April to May under glass to transplant outdoors. Sow seeds 2.5cm (1 inch) deep in pots or trays of good seed compost at about 68F (20C) under glass or in a propagator. Protect emerging seedlings from direct sunlight to avoid scorching. Alternatively sow direct outdoors, 2.5cm (1 inch) deep from mid May.

Growing Instructions

Pot on individual seedlings into 7.5cm (3 inch) pots of compost and keep barely moist to avoid stem rot. Maintain a temperature of about 20C (68F). Plant out 75x75cm (30x30 inches) apart once frost risk passed. Outdoor plantings will be pollinated by insects but greenhouse plants will require hand pollination. Feed with potash fertiliser once fruiting commences and water and mulch regularly. Pick regularly for heaviest crops and to extend the season.

Aftercare

Prefers well drained, moist, rich soil in full sun. Harvest from June to frosts, protect with cloches to extend season.