How to Grow Cucumber, Burpless Marketmore

Cucumber, Burpless Marketmore

Cucumis sativus

vegetable

Burpless Marketmore is a popular slicing cucumber variety known for its mild, digestible flavor and lack of bitterness. It produces long, dark green, smooth-skinned fruits (7-9 inches) that are crisp and tender with thin skin suitable for fresh eating. The vines are vigorous and productive, making this an excellent choice for home gardeners.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Consistent moisture; water deeply 1-2 inches per week, more during flowering and fruiting. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 50-70 days from transplant

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Planting depth: 1 inch for seeds; transplants at same depth as pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining, rich loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-10; plant after last frost when soil is warm

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

True leaves emerge 5-7 days after planting; seedlings develop oval cotyledons followed by heart-shaped true leaves

Maintain warm soil (70-75°F), provide bright light, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy, thin to strongest seedling per pot

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Vigorous vine growth with multiple stems and increasingly larger leaves; no flowers yet

Install support structure (trellis/stakes) early to direct vines upward; fertilize with balanced or slightly nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks; maintain consistent watering and weed regularly

Flowering

1-2 weeks overlap with fruiting

Yellow flowers appear on vines; male flowers bloom first, followed by female flowers with small immature fruit at base

Ensure adequate pollination by bees or hand-pollinate with small brush if needed; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to promote fruiting; maintain consistent moisture to prevent flower drop

Fruiting

3-4 weeks of productive harvest

Mature green cucumbers develop along vines, reaching 7-9 inches; fruits are dark green with smooth skin

Begin harvesting when cucumbers are 6-8 inches long; regular picking encourages more production; provide phosphorus and potassium boost with fertilizer (5-10-10); maintain steady watering to prevent bitter flavor

Decline

2-3 weeks before end of season

Vine vigor slows; fewer new flowers and fruits; older leaves may yellow; production tapers

Remove diseased leaves promptly; continue harvesting remaining fruits; can extend season with shade cloth in extreme heat; plan for succession planting if desired

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Dill Beans Corn Radish Nasturtium Borage Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Aromatic herbs (rosemary, sage) Fennel Potatoes Tomatoes (fungal disease risk)

Common Pests

Row covers on young plants, yellow sticky traps, insecticidal soap, neem oil, handpick if infestation is light
Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage, spray with sulfur or baking soda solution (1 tbsp per gallon water), remove affected leaves
Remove infected leaves, improve drainage, avoid overhead watering, use copper fungicide, plant resistant varieties
Increase humidity with regular misting, spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, release predatory mites if severe
Row covers until flowering, inject Bt into stems, remove affected vines, wrap base of stems with foil as barrier
Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, neem oil, attract beneficial insects like ladybugs

Uses

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Fresh slicing and salads

Culinary

Burpless Marketmore's thin, tender skin and mild flavor make it ideal for fresh eating, salads, and slicing without peeling. The low bitterness and digestibility give it the 'burpless' advantage. [source]

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Pickling

Culinary

While not a pickling variety, the firm flesh holds up well to quick pickling methods and makes flavorful, crisp pickles with vinegar and spices. [source]

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Skincare and hydration

Household

Cucumbers are 95% water and contain silica, making them popular in face masks and spa treatments for skin hydration and soothing. [source]

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Beverages and infusions

Culinary

Sliced cucumbers are commonly added to water for infused beverages, smoothies, and juice blends for refreshment and mild flavor. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Cucumber flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden, supporting broader ecosystem health and fruit production. [source]

Harvest Tips

Harvest cucumbers when they reach 6-8 inches long and are firm with dark green skin; pick every 2-3 days for continuous production. Harvest in the morning when fruits are cool. Use a knife or scissors to cut from vine rather than pulling to avoid damage. Burpless Marketmore has thin, edible skin so no need to peel. Cucumbers that yellow or grow too large become seedy and bitter.

Fun Facts

🌱 The term 'burpless' refers to cucumbers that are easier to digest and less likely to cause flatulence due to their thin skin, low seed content, and mild flavor profile—though the scientific basis for this claim varies.
🌱 Cucumbers are technically berries (botanically) and are picked immature before the seeds fully mature, which is why they're crisp; if left to mature fully, they yellow and become seedy and bitter.
🌱 The Marketmore variety was introduced by the USDA in 1956 and remains one of the most reliable and popular open-pollinated slicing cucumber varieties for home gardeners worldwide.

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