One of the easiest things to grow in your garden is cucumbers. And who doesn’t love cucumbers?? Sliced fresh on a salad, turned into pickles and relishes, or as a refreshing juice. Cucumbers are delicious, healthy, and fun to grow. Here are the basics of how to grow your own cucumbers.
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What Kind of Cucumber should you Grow?
First things first. There are over 100 types of cucumbers! So, step one is to choose what kind you’ll be growing. Decide what you want them for, and then research what varieties will work best for your end goals. Some kinds are great for slicing, and others for pickling. You may decide to grow several different types. But no matter what kind you plant, the basics of growing them are the same.
How Many Cucumber Plants do you Need?
The typical rule is, 1-2 cucumber plants per person. However, this really depends on the type of cucumbers you’re growing and the purpose of those cucumbers.
Your average slicing cucumber will produce about 10 fruits per vine, over the season. And if picked regularly, one plant will provide more than enough cucumbers to eat fresh for one person.
Pickling cucumbers are much more prolific. They provide double the yield of the slicing cucumbers. You will need to pick every day or two, and the frequency will encourage more production. One pickling cucumber plant can give you up to 20-25 pounds of cucumbers in a season.
And keep in mind, trellising your cucumber plants will give you more fruit. It keeps them off the ground and away from bugs and rot.
How to Prepare Your Soil for Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow in many types of soil. But they thrive in loose, well-drained, rich soils.
Your soil should be at a pH of 6.0-7.0. The location should be full sun.
Before planting, mix aged manure or compost into the top 4-6 inches of soil. Cucumbers are heavy feeders, and prefer a large amount of organic matter. About 2 inches worth, and then worked into the soil.
If you don’t have access to manure or compost, an organic fertilizer is another option. I like to use: Jobe’s Organics. You want a fertilizer that is lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. Follow the directions on the bag for the amount you should add to your soil per square foot.
Planting Your Cucumber Seeds
Cucumbers do best when direct sown. This can be done 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Your soil should be above 60 degrees F., and outside temperatures should be consistently above 50 degrees F.
You can, however, start them in pots inside 3-4 weeks before your last frost. But they do not like their roots disturbed, so transplanting is tricky. If you do decide to go this route, starting the seeds in peat pots that can later be planted entirely in the garden is the best option.
When direct sowing, plant your seeds 1 inch deep and 2-3 feet apart. Most varieties are vining, and will do best if trellised. Bush varieties can be grown in rows spaced 3-5 feet apart.
Water your seeds deeply, once a day, until germination. If your outside temperatures are 80-90 degrees, your seeds can sprout in as little as 3 days. But if the weather is cooler, it can take up to 10 days to germinate.
Caring for your Cucumber Plants
Once your seedlings have their first sets of true leaves, it’s time to mulch. They will need 1 inch thick of leaves, straw or wood chips.
When your cucumber plants get their first flowers, it’s helpful to side-dress them with something. This means to feed them some more, and boost their growth. You can add more compost or manure around your plants, or another bit of fertilizer.
Cucumbers need to be watered 3-4 times a week. Deeply. They need at least an inch a week. But be careful not to overwater. The best practice is to check the soil. If the top 2 inches are dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist just under the surface, it’s good.
Your cucumber plants may struggle with pests, but there are a few natural ways to control those. At the early stages, I like to use a neem oil spray. Mix 1 tablespoon neem oil and 1 tablespoon liquid soap, and add that to a gallon of water in a pump sprayer. (I will link exactly what I use below.) I spray it on my plants in the late evening, after all the pollinators are gone.
Once your plants have set fruit, you will want a different form of pest management. Diatomaceous Earth does the best job. Sprinkle it on in the evenings, after the pollinators are gone for the night. Try to avoid getting it inside any open flowers.
How Long until I can Harvest my Cucumbers?
Most cucumber varieties will be ready to start harvesting 50-70 days from planting. Cucumbers taste best when picked early, before they get too “seedy”. The bigger it gets, the more bitter it can get.
Store your cucumbers at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’re pickling them, try to do it the same day that you pick. The fresher the cucumber, the crispier it will be.
Here are a few more posts you might be interested in reading: How to Transplant Tomato Seedlings Into your Garden and How to Grow Green Beans
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