Here’s a picture starter to get you in the right mood for this week’s post. Any guesses as what it might be? Answer at the end.
Did you know we had a cucumber industry in Britain? or that we’ve had one for several centuries? Either way you should know it’s facing extinction because of cheap foreign imports undercutting British growers. There is now less than 100 hectares dedicated to the crop – the lowest figure for over 100 years. 
The industry is still largely based in the Lea Valley where it was established in the 19thc and, of course, it is fighting back as best it can. Its latest wheeze is Cucumber Day held at Waltham Abbey, complete with a ‘decorate the cucumber’ competition and prizes for the largest fruit!
You can find out more about the modern industry and Cucumber Day by following the links from:
But what’s the history of this industry? When did the cucumber arrive in Britain? When did it enter mass production? How big can a cucumber grow? And why do people always seem to prefer their cucumbers to be straight? Continue reading
The Garden History Blog 
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