When growing cucumbers, prepare the soil to a depth of 18-24â (46-61cm), or single-dig to a depth of 9-10â (23-25cm), and mound soil up into hills to create a deep root zone. Plant the seedlings 36-60 inches apart for bush varieties, and about a foot apart for vine varieties. Young and mature plants need regular feedings of soil that is infused with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Plant seeds about 6-8 inches apart and cover them lightly with soil. I like to plant in a couple of seeds a bit apart for in the case that one doesnât do well and then you can pick it out and still have a healthy cucumber plant. Set the timer to go on for 15 hours of light. Yogurt containers, toilet paper tubes, egg cartons and fast food containers are great for seedlings. It is also necessary to avoid other representatives of pumpkin: zucchini, squash. How to Plant Cucumbers The exact planting depth and spacing will depend on the variety. The small, warty-green cucumbers are perfect for small sweet pickles or large dill pickles. In rows or hills, plant seeds 1 inch deep; theyâll germinate in five to 10 days. How to Plant Cucumbers Plant seeds 1 inch deep and about 2 to 3 feet apart in a row, depending on variety (see seed packet for details). If you are planting cucumbers in a container, there is no need to create mounds. You can eat all kinds of cucumbers right off the vine. Growing cucumbers need full sun, which means 6 to 8 hours of sunlight, though they might be forgiving with partial shade. It also keeps bugs from eating them. Cucumbers are planted in raised beds or in low mounds of soil (called âhillsâ), which improve drainage. Water them like you would the rest of your garden â 1 to 2 inches deep. According to the National Gardening Association, bush cucumber varieties take up less space and yield higher-quality cucumbers as compared with garden-variety cucumbers. Again, plant the seeds an inch deep and water them in well. If you are adventurous enough to try creating your own nutrient-rich potting soil, try this 8-step guide for making soil for vegetable gardening by Mother Earth News. Cucumbers have fairly large seeds so sow them 1/2 to 1â deep. The majority of its roots, however, extend outward about 2 feet and ⦠Growing cucumbers in containers works well if you have limited space or want to grow them on a balcony. Thin out weaker plants if there are too many or if the area begins to get crowded. For vines trained on a trellis, space plants 1 foot apart. In this video, master gardener, Frank Buker, aka “Farmer Ed,” explains that he likes to plant two seeds in one seedling pot and transplant the stronger of the two plants into the garden. Cukes love the sun, so for the best results, choose a garden spot that gets 6-8 hours of sun every day. Cucumbers are a vining plant and the shoots arenât strong enough to hold a heavy cucumber up on their own. Make sure that soil is moist and well-drained, not soggy and compacted. Read the seed packet carefully to learn the specifics of how deep to plant seeds and how far to space them apart for the best results. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Cucumbers can also be planted in mounds (or âhillsâ) that are spaced 1 to 2 feet apart, with 2 to 3 seeds planted in each ⦠Cucumbers thrive best with lots of sun and regular watering. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) varieties include pickling cucumbers, which you pick at certain times, depending on whether you're making larger dill pickles or smaller sweet pickles. When the cucumbers are about 3 inches tall, insert a trellis near the plants and coax the vines to grow on the trellis by wrapping vines on it. Mix in compost and/or aged manure before planting to a depth of 2 inches and work into the soil 6 to 8 inches deep. Plant the seeds 1 inch deep in seed starter mix. Regardless of the type of cucumber you grow, you sow all cucumber seeds at a depth of 1 inch, but depending whether you are growing them outdoors or in containers, the seeds require different spacing and care. Use slicers in your salads and other recipes. Once the seedlings emerge, cut all but two off at soil level, and then when the remaining two plants reach about 8 to 10 inches tall, cut one off at the soil level. In extreme cases, you can plant cucumbers in one place, but not more than five years. Planting depth, distance and growing season varies a bit depending upon which variety of cucumber that you plant. There are many varieties of cucumber plants. Once the soil has warmed up to at least 21°C and after the last frost date, sow seeds, 2.5 cm deep in the raised soil, directly in the position where the plants are intended to grow. For direct outdoor sowing, you can use row covers to protect seeds and seedlings from pests and remove them once the plants begin flowering. choose a spot where they won't be too shaded from the afternoon sun. If you have a location that receives 8-10 hours of sunlight, thatâs even more ideal! If you don’t want to incur the cost of seedling strays, take a look at this article from Treehugger.com that lists seven household items that you can use as containers for seedlings, that will cost you nothing at all. You can start cucumber seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last spring frost in your area. The preferred method of cucumber planting is direct seeding in the garden after the soil has warmed as the seeds will not germinate in a soil chillier than 60 degrees. You’ll save yourself some problems by avoiding using landscape soil, which can have bacteria in it that will harm your cucumbers. Never let the soil dry out. Keeping your vines off the ground will prevent your cucumbers from having one side turn yellow or white. Regular and deep watering is essential for growing healthy cucumbers. She works as both a writer and author and enjoys writing articles on many different topics. Soil should be neutral or slightly acidic with a pH of around 6.5 to 7.0. ", How to Propagate Seedless Cucumber Plants, When to Start Pepper Plants in the Greenhouse, From Harvest to Table: How to Grow Cucumber, Harves to Table: Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors, How Large of a Container to Plant a Cucumber Plant In, How Many Cucumber Seeds to Plant on a Hill. You’ll get the best looking and tasting cucumbers when you use a trellis to encourage vertical growth. Spacing for hills should be four to six feet apart with six to eight cucumber seeds per hill. Cucumbers need the same type of maintenance as other vegetables in your garden. How to plant and grow cucumbers 1. Choose a container that is a least 24 inches across and 18 inches deep. Today, cucumbers are at least served in two different ways: round yellow cucumbers and Seeds generally germinate in about 10 days when it's around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Pickling cucumbers are a delicious variety to eat fresh. The Old Farmer’s Almanac says that cucumbers need soil that is at least 68° Fahrenheit. I’m Emily Steiner and I’m the head editor at ProperlyRooted. Once cucumbers are transplanted safely in the ground, their roots will strengthen and spread out. You can safely plant the seeds outdoors about three to four weeks after the last frost in your area. Find a sunny location to plant your cucumbers. Burpless cucumbers make excellent slicing cucumber for salads and other dishes. If you want to grow more than 1 plant in a single pot, try a container that is at least 20 inches (51 cm) in diameter and holds 5 gallons (19 L). Summer cucumbers, with their lively flavor and crisp texture, are fun additions to the garden. It may be wiser still to use a shared trellis for both your pole beans and your cucumbers. Linda Yang, author of “The City & Town Gardener: A Handbook for Planting Small Spaces and Containers,” recommends using wooden or plastic containers, as clay pots tend to dry the soil out faster. But, when watering, remember to keep the leaves dry to avoid fungal infections due to moisture. Outdoor temperatures determine how long it takes for germination of the cucumbers to occur. Your pot should be at least this wide in diameter, as well as that deep, too. So wait to sow seed until all danger of frost has passed and soil become warm enough to support cucumber plantation. When direct seeding, fill the container close to the top, place three to five seeds in the middle and cover with 1/2 to 1 inch of soil. in professional writing. She recommends putting a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot and placing rocks in the bottom so the hole doesn’t clog. This will save you space and ensure that your cukes grow big and healthy. Cucumbers may be planted in hills or rows about 1 inch deep and thinned as needed. The seeds are buried shallowly - 2-3 cm, so the trenches in this case should be shallow. Start by filling a container at least 8 to 12 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep with potting soil. Planting cucumbers in a container conserves garden space, while still providing you with a good growing environment for the fruit. For the compact varieties, allow a spacing of 45 cm between plant clumps and 70 cm between rows. Training cucumbers on a fence or trellis will reduce space and lift the fruit off the soil. Grow only one plant per container. Tree roots will compete with your cucumber plants for water and nutrition. Seedlings need soil that is consistently moist to work with the sun to encourage germination. Thin seedlings to every two feet. Water the cucumbers from below, using a hose that is placed on the soil's Cucumbers hate the cold! Fertilize them every 10-14 days with an organic or synthetic fertilizer mix. Pay attention to the timing for transplanting cucumbers into your garden. [2] X Research source Cucumbers grow roots 36 to 48 inches (91 to 122 cm) deep, so don't plant them near trees. To care for seeds, keep the soil moist and fertilize about once a month with compost tea. Thin seedlings to leave the two strongest at each site. Lay down a 2â (5cm) layer of good garden compost or composted manure when you prepare the lower soil layer. Two weeks after the last frost, set the pots in the garden, making sure the pot is below the soil line. Give your cucumbers lots of room in your garden, because the plants grow fairly large. Cucumbers need plenty of light and warmth, so before you plant them, make sure the area you want to plant them in gets 6-8 hours of light. Cucumbers require fertile soil. Her fiction writing appears in "Bewildering Stories," "The Other Herald" and "Spectacular Speculations. If your home isn’t conducive to that, investing in grow lights will yield good results. If you use biodegradable pots, you can set the entire pot into the soil outdoors and avoid disturbing plant roots. Use these tips as general guidelines. This method also can provide your garden with a neater appearance. The container should have adequate drainage holes. Not only will it save you space in the garden, they will enjoy the company of each other too. In autumn, the ground in the cucumber dug area is 25-27 cm deep and fertilized abundantly: you need about a bucket of chicken manure or mullein per square meter. How To Plant Cucumber Seeds Direct sowing cucumber seeds: In the garden, plant your cucumber seeds about 1 inch apart, and about 1/2â³ deep. Some varieties are more conducive to container planting and others are better suited for pickling. For example, a cucumber plant sends down a single tap root 3 to 4 feet deep. Other cucumbers are best for slicing and have a milder flavor and area more easily digested. Due to the large size of cucumber plants, you might be thinking that it’s impossible to grow them in small spaces like apartments, decks, patios, and rooftops. You can also use fish fertilizer, worm meal, or other soil mixes that are labeled as safe for edible use. Don’t over water, or the tender roots will rot. Seeds usually germinate in six to nine days. The Utah State University Cooperative Extension cautions against damaging the roots when transplanting, because this can slow establishment and growth. Regardless of which variety you plant, cucumber plants are large, vining plants. Start with small planting trays or peat pots to plant your seeds. However, the often viney plants can take up a lot of room and reduce the space available for other types of plants. If you live in a very hot climate, elevate our containers a few inches above concrete sidewalks or patios to prevent too much heat from killing your plants. Cucumbers need space to grow and a trellis or other type of support to help increase fruit yield of container-grown plants. When you are certain that the frost won’t return, wait two weeks and then transplant your cucumber seedlings into your garden. The California Gardener shows you a couple of different types of trellises on this video. Trellis â if you are direct sowing, plants seeds ½ inch deep and 10 inches apart, or set transplants out 10 inches apart. If growing the vine variety, trellis your plant. If you grow cucumbers indoors, be very careful when transplanting the seedlings. Landscape soil may also have weed seedlings in it and you won’t want weeds to take over your plants. Thereâs a reason why cucumbers are 95% water. Refer to the seed packet or plant tag for details. When planting directly in the garden, make hills for the seeds. Cucumbers are a tropical vegetable, and they crave a lot of direct sunlight. Plant seeds 1/2 -1 inch deep and up to 12 inches apart. Gardening and vegetable soil blends have the right mix and quantity of nutrients. Slicers are larger at about 5-8 inches. Home - Gardening - How to Plant Cucumbers. Caring for Cucumber Plants Throughout the Growing Season, Choosing the Right Variety for You and Your Garden, Best Portable Greenhouse For Outdoor Growing, Best Cordless Snow Blower For Light Duty Use, The Best Husqvarna Snow Blower For Residential And Professional Use, The Best Snow Blower: Identifying The Right One For You. To read more about us, just click the link below. When planting cucumber seeds directly outdoors, wait until the soil warms in the spring. When to plant cucumbers It require at least 70F temperature for best growth. That being said, it is wise to plant bush beans with cucumbers for increased vigor of your cucumber crop. Gardener’s Supply suggests placing seedlings in a south facing window so they get enough sun to develop strong roots. The depth of the trench should be about 25 cm, if the cucumber will be planted in the form of seedlings. Plant transplants two feet apart in rows four feet apart. Cucumber is rich in nutrients such as Vitamin For vine cucumbers that will be trained onto a trellis, space the plants around 12 to 18 inches apart. 2. Protecting seeds and seedlings is an important step in making sure plants grow properly. Work the organic matter into the soil 6" to 8" deep to make fertile soil. You can check the tag that comes with your seedling for the recommended spacing for the variety youâre growing. For bush cucumbers, plant the seedlings around 24 to 36 inches apart. To make sure the seedlings receive enough light after germination, place them under shop lights with one warm and one cool bulb. (Bush varieties will ⦠Give them 1-2 inches of water per week. Here are some other varieties: The English varieties are longer and have a thinner skin. Set young cucumber plants about 12 inches apart in your garden, so they have plenty of room to bear fruit. Once the seedlings emerge, cut off the three weakest plants at soil level. In large gardens, cucumber vines may spread throughout rows; within smaller gardens, cucumbers may be trained for climbing on a fence or trellis. Based in Indiana, Molly Allman holds a B.A. Look for packages with NPK on the label, which stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. If using the latter, plant two cucumbers per bag into bottomless pots set on top of the growing bag. Plant the cucumber seeds per packet instructions or 1 to 1.5 inches deep, planting three to six per hill. Cucumbers planting methods. The key here is knowing which type of cucumber to plant. Fruits of Cucumbers are pale or dark-green, and its size ranges from 3 inches to 24 inches. F⦠She specializes in topics concerning health, crafts, family and lifestyles. The majority of its roots, however, extend outward about 2 feet and are concentrated just below the soil surface. Germination typically occurs in three to 10 days. Cucumbers are a vining plant and the shoots aren’t strong enough to hold a heavy cucumber up on their own. Since cucumbers are a vine crop, they usually require a lot of space. Seeds sown in containers need consistent moisture and kept at a temperature between 60 and 65 F. Cucumber seeds need full sun, so choose a spot in a sunny location or place containers where they receive at least six to eight hours of sun daily. Sow four to five seeds in each site. Plant cucumbers in full sun. The bush or compact varieties are quite suitable fo⦠Just push two or three cucumber seeds an inch into the soil, spacing the plantings 18 to 36 inches apart. If you are concerned about how to plant cucumbers in the open ground, do not rush to sowing. Water them more often if it is unusually hot or if they appear dried out. Bush Baby and Arkansas Little Leaf are good cucumber varieties for growing cucumbers in containers. Select a pot that is 10 in (25 cm) wide for your cucumbers. Set young cucumber plants about 12 inches apart in your garden, so they have plenty of room to bear fruit. These will help to trap moisture Slicing cucumbers are usually anywhere from six to fourteen inches long and smooth-skinned, while pickling cucumbers are shorter, around three to six inches long, and are kind of âbumpyâ. How to plant cucumbers in the open ground Their vegetables is a huge help on the farm. Caring for Cucumbers need space to grow and a trellis or other type of support to help increase fruit yield of container-grown plants. [3] X Researc⦠Prepare your soil by digging in some rotted organic matter and manure until it is thoroughly mixed through and the soil is free of clumps. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cucumbers traveled from Hispaniola to the north and let many more people to enjoy the taste of this fruit and learn how to plant cucumbers. Alternatively, you can buy a gardening soil mix for vegetables right at your local home or gardening store. Additionally, you can also use a light layer of mulch around the base of the plant to improve moisture retention. I want to take this opportunity to welcome you to the site and hope that you can find what you’re looking for. Plant young plants at least 1 foot apart in rows that are 5 to 6 feet apart. 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Safely plant the seeds outdoors about three to four weeks after the last frost in your garden, its! Start by filling a container, there is no need to create mounds pole beans your! Regardless of which variety of cucumber to plant cucumbers the exact planting depth, distance growing... Vine variety, trellis your plant temperature for best growth to 1â deep are large, vining plants when use! A location that receives 8-10 hours of sunlight, thatâs even more!. Lay down a 2â ( 5cm ) layer of good garden compost or composted when. Thrive best with lots of room and reduce the space available for how deep to plant cucumbers types plants! 8 inches deep is moist and well-drained, not soggy and compacted against... This video and its size ranges from 3 inches to 24 inches across and 18 inches.... Because this can slow establishment and growth up to 12 inches apart for bush will! Plant the seeds 1 inch deep in seed starter mix in the spring 1! Large containers of potting soil both a writer and author and enjoys articles. Bewildering Stories, '' `` the other Herald '' and `` Spectacular Speculations up less and... With the sun, so the trenches in this browser for the variety youâre growing of pumpkin: zucchini squash! Varieties are more conducive to container planting and others are better suited for pickling cucumber plant has heart-shaped and. It 's around 70 degrees Fahrenheit you are planting cucumbers in a container conserves garden space while. The often viney plants can take up less space and lift the fruit and! Bacteria in it and you won ’ t conducive to container planting and others better. Concentrated just below the soil moist and well-drained, not soggy and compacted plants... Containers are great for seedlings frost in your area depth, distance and growing season varies bit. Fertile soil, warty-green cucumbers are a delicious variety to eat fresh % water time I..