Socrates

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Cool, crisp snap leads the way with Socrates—an elegant Beit Alpha cucumber prized for its clean, refreshing flavor and tightly textured flesh that stays pleasantly firm.

At maturity it forms long, straight fruits with a bright, even skin and a refined, tender bite, ideal for slicing into vivid platters and for showcasing in fresh, vibrant preparations. Grow Socrates for a steady, garden-to-table harvest that tastes as bright as it looks.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Jun 28th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Socrates is built for the bite: tightly textured flesh stays pleasantly firm, so even after slicing it won’t collapse into wet shreds. Use it cold and naked—salt, citrus, yogurt, or a swift pickle—to let that clean, refreshing snap do the talking.

Best Uses

paper-thin slices on sourdough or rye with a quick hit of salt—no weeping
chilled cucumber crudo with citrus zest and olive oil
tzatziki-style mash where the flesh holds a crisp bite
briny, fast-pickled rounds for sandwich crunch

Flavor Profile

clean, cool cucumber juiciness tight, snappy crunch that stays firm subtle sweetness with a lightly grassy snap thin-skin tenderness without a watery mushy finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon extra-virgin olive oil yogurt garlic feta cheese black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Cucumis sativus (cucumber), and what should I do first?

Cucumber beetles are the most frequent early problem and can quickly spread bacterial wilt. Check plants in the morning and remove any heavily affected leaves, then use floating row cover until flowering if possible; once flowering starts, switch to targeted hand-removal and a cucumber-safe control per the label if beetles persist. If you see wilting with tan/brown streaks in stems, remove the affected plant immediately to prevent spread.

How often should I water Cucumis sativus during the main growing phase (after it starts running)?

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings during hot weather. Water at the base early in the day and avoid wetting leaves to reduce disease risk (powdery mildew and downy mildew). If the top 1 inch of soil dries out, irrigate again the same day to prevent bitter, undersized fruit.

How can I tell when Cucumis sativus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits reach the variety’s typical size for fresh eating and the skin is still firm and glossy, usually around 50 days from sowing. Use a fingernail to lightly scratch the skin—if it dents easily, it’s ready; if it’s hard or looks overgrown, pick it sooner for best flavor and to keep vines producing. Check daily once fruits start forming.