Heat-loving and easy to grow, this plant produces tons of refreshing fruits in summer.
Growing your own crunchy, just-the-right-sizecucumbersis a cinch.
Choose from dozens of varieties to grow at home.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
They will thrive in the garden, raised beds, and even large containers.
They flourish in hot summer weather and the more you harvest, the more the plants will produce.
Crop rotation helps to break pests and disease cycles and improves soil health.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Also, consider the growth habit of the variety you select.
How and When to Plant Cucumber
Cucumbers are planted in the spring.
This is recommended for cooler climates as it gives you a head start on the growing season.
Credit: Bill Stites
For potted seedlings, only keep one seedling per pot and cut the other one at the soil level.
Seedlings started indoors need ample light to prevent them from becoming leggy.
If you dont have a south- or west-facing window, place them under grow lights.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
After the last frost, gradually expose the seedlings to outdoor conditions.
Transplant them when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55 degrees.
Space transplants 1 foot apart or thin directly seeded plants accordingly.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Cucumber Care Tips
Cucumbers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow.
Light
Cucumbers need at least 8 hours offull sunevery day.
Soil and Water
Plant cucumbers in loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Credit: Jon Jensen
Theideal pHfor growing cucumbers is between 6.0 and 6.8.
Cucumber plants need consistent moisture.
In the absence of sufficient rain, give them at least 1 inch of water per week.
Irrigation is especially important once there is fruit on the plantlack of water makes the cucumbers taste bitter.
Fertilizer
Once the plants have started flowering, fertilize them with an all-purposevegetable garden fertilizer.
Repeat the fertilizer utility about 3 weeks later.
For specific amounts, follow the label instructions.
Use a container that is at least 1 foot wide and deep.
Fill it with well-draining potting mix and a few handfuls of compost.
Plant the seeds 1 inch deep and at least 4 inches from the edge of the container.
Water at least daily, up to twice in hot summer weather.
As cucumbers are annuals, repotting wont be necessary.
This information is usually included on the seed package or plant label.
Harvest pickling cucumbers when they are 2 to 4 inches long.
Start picking slicing cucumbers when they are 6 to 9 inches long.
verify you check cucumber vines at least every other day for fruit that is ready to harvest.
Plus, oversized cucumbers tend to be seedy or bitter.
Eat or preserve cucumbers within a day or two for the best taste.
They have a tender, smooth skin and a small seed cavity.
The plant is self-pollinating.
60 days to harvest.
The crispy cucumbers are used for pickling or slicing.
60 days to harvest.
The slicing cucumbers are harvested when they are 8 inches long.
57 days to maturity.
It is a slicing cucumber and was an All-America Selections winner in 1943.
The uniformly shaped cucumbers are harvested when they are 8 inches long.
65 days to maturity.
The plant has only female flowers and bears fruit without pollination.
54 days to maturity.
The raised beds are filled with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers.
you’ve got the option to substitute the suggested cucumber variety with another one suitable for container gardening.
Themarigoldsthat flank the bed’s edge deter cucumber beetles and attract pollinators.
They are also easier to pick when climbing.
Cucumber seeds need consistent moisture to germinate, which means a daily light watering.
Young seedlings should also be watered every day, unless the weather is wet.
Container plants need to be watered daily because the soil dries out much faster than garden soil.
During a heat wave, also water the cucumber plants in your garden daily.
