Cucumber

Cucumber Growing Information

Cucumbers are tender annuals that grow best in temperatures ranging from 15°-32° C.

• Sow cucumber seed in the garden or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the average last frost date in spring.
• The ideal soil temperature for growing cucumbers is 21°C.
• Sow cucumber seed indoors as early as 6 weeks before transplanting into the garden.
• Protect cucumbers from unexpected frost or chilly night-time temperatures early in the season. Use floating row covers or plastic tunnels to keep the chill away.
• Cucumbers require 55 to 65 frost-free days from sowing to reach harvest.

Where to plant?

• Grow cucumbers in full sun. Cucumbers can tolerate partial shade.
• Cucumbers prefer loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Prepare planting beds in advance of planting by adding (5-7cm) of aged compost, commercial organic planting mix, and aged manure to beds.
• Place black plastic sheeting over the planting bed in spring to warm the soil in advance of planting.
• Cucumbers prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Cucumbers can tolerate alkaline soil to a pH of 7.6.
• Set trellises or supports in place to grow cucumbers up or mound the soil to create a small hill off which cucumber vines can run. Use a trellis 1.2-1.8m tall. Create a mound at least 40cm across and several inches high; space mounds 1.2-1.8m apart.

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist with regular watering. Do not let the soil dry out. Cucumbers are about 95 percent water and require regular water for fast, even growth.
• Set a soaker hose or drip irrigation at the base of plants. Give cucumbers at least 1 inch of water each week during the summer.
• Always water at the base of plants. Moisture on cucumber leaves can result in fungal diseases such as powdery and downy mildew.
• Leaves may wilt in the afternoon in hot weather; that is because plants are taking up water faster than roots can supply.
• If plants are wilted in the morning, the soil is too try and needs immediate water.
• Mulch around plants to slow soil moisture evaporation and to avoid soil compaction caused by heavy watering.
• Too little water or inconsistent watering can cause cucumbers to become oddly shaped or bitter tasting.
• An easy way to measure soil moisture is to stick your index finger in the soil; if your finger comes away dry, it’s time to water.
• Source: https://harvesttotable.com/how_to_grow_cucumber/