Marketmore 76 (Cucumis sativus)
Plant Care Specifications
Beat the Heat: Discover Marketmore 76 Slicing Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
If you want a dependable, heavy-yielding slicer that refuses to quit when the July and August weather turns sweltering, Marketmore 76 (Cucumis sativus) is the ultimate garden champion. Holding its rich dark green color and exceptional flavor even in the hot summer sun, this widely adapted variety produces uniform, straight, cylindrical fruits averaging 8 inches long with no stippling—all in just 68 days.
Renowned for its outstanding disease resistance (including CMV, downy mildew, powdery mildew, and scab), Marketmore 76 is a favorite among home gardeners and market growers alike.
Plant Profile at a Glance
- Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus (Marketmore 76)
- Plant Type: Open Pollinated Heirloom / Warm-Season Vegetable
- Mature Height: 12 inches (vining growth up to several feet)
- Days to Maturity: 68 days
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Requirements: Very rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3–12
A Legacy of Excellence from Cornell
While cucumbers share an ancient history originating in the Himalayan foothills over 3,000 years ago—spreading eventually through Greece, Rome, and across the globe—the Marketmore line has a distinct American pedigree. Marketmore cucumbers were famously developed at Cornell University in New York by the legendary horticulturist Dr. Henry Munger, bred specifically to withstand regional pressures while offering superior garden performance and appearance.
Garden Companionship and Growth Tips
Growing top-tier slicing cucumbers is all about warmth, moisture, and robust support:
- Sowing: Cucumbers dislike root disturbance. Direct-sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed when air temperatures consistently average 65 to 75 degrees F. Alternatively, start them indoors in peat pots about 2 weeks before the last frost. Space hills 4 to 5 feet apart, or plant in rows with seedlings spaced 1 foot apart.
- Support and Companion Planting: While the vines will happily sprawl across the ground, providing a trellis saves garden space, keeps your 8-inch slicers straighter, and makes harvesting effortless. Traditional companion planting suggests growing them near corn (which the vines can climb) or radishes (which help repel cucumber beetles), while avoiding potatoes and aromatic herbs.
- Moisture and Mulch: Consistent watering is the secret to crisp, bitter-free cucumbers. Apply a layer of mulch or straw once the vines develop to lock in soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Harvesting and Seed Saving
- Harvesting: Harvest fruits consistently all season long to encourage heavy, continuous yields. Pick before the blossom end begins to turn yellow to enjoy them at peak freshness and crispness.
- Seed Saving: Because cucumbers easily cross-pollinate with other varieties, isolate your plants if you plan to save pure seed. Allow fruits to mature past the eating stage until they soften and change color (up to 5 weeks), cure them for two weeks, and use the standard fermentation method to clean and dry your viable seeds for storage.
Bring One Home
Ready to harvest flawless, dark green slicers all summer long? Our nursery-grown Marketmore 76 plants are cultivated with care and ready to thrive in your garden. Scan the QR code right on your plant pot to explore our complete growing guides, care tips, and full botanical inventory!