To grow cucumbers successfully, follow these key steps:
Planting Time and Location
- Plant cucumbers when average daily temperatures reach the mid-70s°F (around 21-24°C) for best growth
- Choose a warm, sunny, and sheltered spot with fertile, well-drained soil having a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Cucumbers tolerate slightly alkaline soil up to 7.6
- You can grow cucumbers outdoors, in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or even in containers at least 30 cm (1 ft) wide and deep filled with good-quality compost
Soil Preparation
- Improve soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or well-rotted manure a few weeks before planting to enrich fertility and structure
- For containers, use a 50-50 blend of potting mix and compost with added organic fertilizer to meet cucumbers' high fertility and moisture needs
Sowing and Planting
- Sow seeds indoors 1–2 cm deep in pots with seed compost in late winter or early spring to get a head start, keeping them warm (around 21°C) and well-watered
- Transplant seedlings outdoors or into their final growing position after about a month when they are strong and temperatures are reliably above 12°C (53°F)
- Space plants 36 to 60 inches apart in the garden, or 12 inches apart if training on a trellis. For containers, plant one or two per pot depending on size
Supporting Growth
- Provide supports such as trellises, bamboo canes, or netting to train vines vertically, which saves space and keeps fruit clean
- Tie stems initially and help tendrils cling to supports as plants grow
Watering and Feeding
- Water cucumbers regularly to keep soil evenly moist, especially during fruit formation. Avoid wetting leaves to reduce fungal diseases
- Use rainwater when possible and water at the base in the morning. In containers, water when the soil feels dry an inch below the surface
- Feed plants with a water-soluble or liquid organic fertilizer every 10-14 days, switching to a high-potash fertilizer once flowering begins to encourage fruiting
Mulching and Maintenance
- Mulch around plants with straw, compost, or well-rotted manure to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep fruit clean
- Pinch out growing tips to focus energy on fruit production: greenhouse cucumbers when they reach the roof and outdoor cucumbers after seven leaves
- Remove male flowers in greenhouse varieties (which are mostly all-female) to prevent bitter fruit; outdoor varieties need male flowers for pollination
Harvesting
- Harvest cucumbers when they reach a desirable size for eating, usually when they are firm and green but before they turn yellow or grow too large
By following these guidelines, you can grow healthy cucumber plants that produce a good yield of tasty cucumbers
