Last year I purchased some mini-white cucumber seed which I had planned to plant in a sunken raised bed, or underground greenhouse. Due to weather related problems this didn't happen. I plan to give it a try again next spring. The plan is to transplant four to six week old plants around mid-April. There are three glass window covers for this 4' x 8' raised bed, which is made up of 2" x 16" treated lumber, and it is 4'W x 8'L. This bed is also dug down and additional 4 feet and filled with composted cow manure and straw, as well as some composted garden scraps from this season. This bed has also served as a vermiculture pit which includes several different types of worms.
There are three large black plastic trash bags covering the surface of the bed media for added warmth. As soon as temperatures are suitable I will transplant some mini-white cucumber plants. I would prefer to leave the black plastic bags in place for the added warmth as well as moisture retention and ease of cultivation. However, I recall reading that cucumbers don't like plastic mulch. Are there any other options for mulching in this situation?
Cucumbers in Underground Greenhouse
