Cucumbers are one of the funnest and easiest vegetables to grow right in your own backyard! A tropical vegetable, cucumber loves the sun, warm weather and lots of water. When thinking of growing cucumbers, make sure to plant once the weather is at least 70F and all danger of frost has gone. Today we'll teach you how to plant cucumbers, grow them into beautiful veggies, and care for them!
Cucumbers can grow in two different forms: vines and bushes. Vines need a fence or trellis to climb up on, while bushes are more compact and grow in one spot. If you have the space, vine cucumbers yield a higher harvest, but bush cucumbers are better suited for smaller spaces and grow well in containers.
How to Plant Cucumbers – Soil, Planting, and Care
Source: Miraclegro
Soil:
- Cucumbers love warm, fertile soil.
- Work some compost or manure into the soil.
- To keep the soil nice and warm, mulch with pine straw, wheat straw, or your favorite organic mulch.
Planting Cucumbers:
Source: Mnn
- Plant the seedlings 36-60 inches apart for bush varieties, and about a foot apart for vine varieties.
- If growing the vine variety, trellis your plant. This will save you space and ensure that your cukes grow big and healthy.
Caring for Cucumber Plants:
- Cucumber plants don't require a lot of care, as long as they have warmth and moist soil.
- Give your plants about an inch of water per week and always check the soil to make sure it's moist.
- This is not necessary, but if you want, you can fertilize once every 2 weeks with a liquid fertilizer directly around the plants.
Harvesting Cucumbers:
- Cucumbers are usually ready for harvest within 50-70 days from planting.
- You can pick your cucumbers once they are big enough.
- Store them in the refrigerator for 7-10 days or if you have a big harvest, why not pickle them?
For more information on how to plant cucumbers, check out 10 tips for growing cucumbers.
Happy Planting!
