Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore 76' is a Half-Hardy Annual and one of the most widely grown outdoor cucumber varieties in the world. It is a ridge cucumber — so called because it was traditionally grown on raised ridges of soil that improved drainage and warmed the root zone — and is fully outdoor-capable in the British climate when given a sheltered, sunny position. It was developed at Cornell University in the 1970s as a disease-resistant improvement on the earlier 'Marketmore' line, incorporating strong resistance to cucumber mosaic virus, scab, and powdery mildew.

Ridge vs Greenhouse Cucumbers: It is important to understand the distinction between ridge cucumbers like 'Marketmore 76' and the long, smooth, all-female greenhouse varieties commonly sold for indoor growing. Ridge cucumbers are monoecious — they produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant and require pollination by insects to set fruit. Greenhouse varieties are typically parthenocarpic, setting fruit without pollination, and are specifically bred for the controlled environment of a heated greenhouse. 'Marketmore 76' is a ridge type and genuinely excels outdoors — unlike greenhouse varieties, which struggle and under-perform when grown in cooler, variable outdoor conditions.

Disease Resistance: The '76' designation refers to the 1976 release date of this improved line, which incorporated significantly enhanced disease resistance compared to its predecessors. The resistance to cucumber mosaic virus is particularly valuable in British gardens, where this aphid-transmitted disease can devastate cucumber crops. The additional resistance to powdery mildew — a common problem in warm, dry late summers — extends the productive season considerably compared to more susceptible varieties.

Open-Pollinated Heritage: As an open-pollinated variety, 'Marketmore 76' breeds true from saved seed — the fruits from a home-grown plant will produce seedlings identical to the parent. This makes seed-saving both practical and worthwhile, and connects the grower to a tradition of careful varietal selection that stretches back through generations of market gardeners on both sides of the Atlantic.

Cucumbers are heat-lovers that need a long season — sowing indoors in late April and giving transplants the warmest, most sheltered outdoor spot available is the key to a reliable British harvest.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from late April to mid-May. Sow seeds individually into 7–9cm pots of good-quality seed compost, placing each seed on its edge approximately 1.5cm deep — sowing on the edge prevents the seed sitting in a pool of moisture at its base and reduces the risk of rotting. Maintain a temperature of 20–25°C for germination, which typically occurs within 5–10 days. Cucumber seedlings are fast-growing and dislike root disturbance — pot on carefully into larger containers as roots begin to show through the drainage holes, and handle the rootball as little as possible.

Transplanting:
Harden off thoroughly over 10–14 days before planting out after the last frost — typically from late May to early June. Choose the warmest, most sheltered position available — a south-facing wall or fence, a cold frame, or an unheated greenhouse are all ideal. Plant into soil or compost that has been generously enriched with well-rotted manure or compost, as cucumbers are hungry, thirsty plants. Space plants 45–60cm apart. Train the main stem up a cane or trellis — keeping the plant vertical improves air circulation, reduces disease pressure, and makes fruits easier to spot and harvest.

Ongoing Care:
Water consistently and generously — inconsistent watering is the primary cause of bitter fruits and poor setting. A thick mulch around the base of each plant helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds. Feed weekly with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser once the first fruits begin to swell. Pinch out the growing tip once the main stem has reached the top of its support, encouraging the plant to put energy into lateral shoots and fruit development. Check plants daily during the peak of the season — cucumbers grow with remarkable speed and fruits left too long become large, seedy, and bitter.

Harvesting:
Harvest from July to October when fruits are 15–20cm long and deeply, uniformly dark green. Cut with a sharp knife or secateurs rather than pulling — pulling can damage the vine and discourage further setting. Harvest regularly and consistently — every day or two during the peak of the season. Every fruit left on the plant beyond its optimum size signals to the plant that its reproductive purpose is complete and significantly reduces further fruit production. The more you pick, the more it grows.

'Marketmore 76' needs warmth, consistent moisture, and good pollinator activity to set its best crops — these companions from our range deliver all three while making the productive garden look beautiful through the summer:

• 🌼 Nasturtium 'Tom Thumb': The Pest Decoy & Pollinator Lure. Nasturtiums are one of the most valuable companions for cucumbers and all cucurbit crops — their vivid, nectar-rich flowers attract the pollinating bees that cucumbers absolutely depend on for fruit set, while their pungent foliage deters the aphids and whitefly that target cucumber leaves and spread cucumber mosaic virus. As a trap crop for blackfly, they draw pest pressure away from the more valuable cucumber plants with remarkable effectiveness. Plant a generous row of Tom Thumb Nasturtiums along the base of the cucumber supports and let them do their vital work all season long.
• 🌼 Borage: The Cucumber's Classic Companion. Borage and cucumber have been grown together in the kitchen garden for centuries — the combination appears in gardening texts dating back to the 16th century, and the partnership has endured because it genuinely works. Borage attracts bumblebees in exceptional numbers, providing the consistent pollinator activity that cucumber plants need to set fruits reliably and abundantly. Its deep taproot improves soil structure around the cucumber's fibrous roots, and its large, water-retaining leaves can be cut and used as a living mulch. The edible blue flowers have a distinct cucumber flavour — making them the most thematically appropriate garnish in the kitchen garden for a summer cucumber salad.
• 🧡 Calendula 'Art Shades Mixed': The Beneficial Insect Bank. Calendula planted around the base of cucumber plants sustains a continuous population of hoverflies and parasitic wasps throughout the summer — the insects that prey on the spider mites and aphids that commonly trouble cucumber foliage in warm weather. The warm apricot and cream flowers of Art Shades make a beautiful visual contrast at ground level against the bold, dark green cucumber foliage above, and the edible petals scattered over a simply dressed Marketmore cucumber salad add a warm, golden colour accent that is as good to look at as it is to eat.
• 🌿 Basil Classic Italian: The Summer Kitchen Garden. Basil and cucumber are natural companions in the kitchen garden and on the plate — both peak simultaneously in midsummer, both thrive in warm, sheltered, well-watered conditions, and both contribute to what is arguably the most refreshing summer salad combination there is. Basil's aromatic oils are believed to deter the aphids and spider mites that target cucumber foliage, and its warm, heady presence in the growing space creates a sensory pleasure that is one of the finest experiences the productive garden offers on a warm August afternoon. Freshly sliced Marketmore cucumber with torn basil, good olive oil, and sea salt is a dish of quiet perfection.

Sow indoors in late April — no earlier, as cucumber seedlings grow fast and become pot-bound quickly — then transplant to the warmest, most sheltered spot in the garden for a generous summer harvest from July to the first frosts.