Days to Maturity: 57

A space-saving slicing cuke that produces heavy yields, too. No wonder the AAS judges were impressed. Salad Bush bears a big harvest of dark green, cylindrical, smooth 8-inch fruit. The plants have an improved tolerance of many diseases, including powdery and downy mildews, target leaf spot, cucumber mosaic virus, and scab. You can't beat this one for big production in small spaces.

Direct sow seeds in a sunny spot after all danger of frost is past, or start indoors and transplant when the first true leaf appears. Cucumbers can be allowed to grow on the ground, but for longer, straighter fruit and to save garden space, grow them in a cage or on a trellis, allowing 1 foot between plants. Keep them well-watered, and keep the fruits picked promptly.