Hairy Cucumber Surprise

I have discovered something very disturbing.

When they first start to grow, cucumbers are really ugly.

No, really.  They truly are!

See, my cucumber transplants have begun to start producing fruit.  This is my first time growing cucumbers, so I was surprised when I discovered what the fruits look like at the beginning of the growth process.

Those things are hairy!

Not only that, but a young cucumber has spines!  Now, I knew that the skin of a mature cucumber was bumpy, but I didn't realize that was the result of what started as sharp and pokey spines!

I can only guess that this is a way of protecting itself from predators.  After all, who in their right mind would actually want to pick one of these things at this stage?

Not me, that's for sure!

This has been a successful gardening project so far.

The cucumber transplants that I planted in the wild area have been growing very well.  Vines of this variety are supposed to grow as long as four feet, and some of mine are at about three feet in length at present.  The huge, green leaves are healthy and vibrant.

This was definitely a good addition to my edible garden.  The cucumber plants are thriving in the wild area, so the location choice seems to be a good one.  I'm still worried that they'll be effected by black walnut toxicity, but so far things are going well.

Now I just need to get over their spiny hairiness!!!

This is quite a surprise for me.  Have you ever had a gardening project that surprised you to the extent that this one did with me?