Growing Cucumbers – Some Quick Tips on How to Grow Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a warm weather favorite. With the some of the newer hybrids like the burpless cucumbers, and the traditional pickling cucumbers, you can have some real variety in the kitchen when growing cucumbers. Here are a few quick tips on how to grow cucumbers.

Cucumbers come in a number of different size varieties, and probably the first thing you may want to consider is the amount of space that you are willing to give to each plant. Some of the bush varieties or dwarf varieties will only take a few square feet for each plant, while some of the heirloom varieties will sprawl around and can take 10-20 square feet per plant if you don’t train them to grow up a trellis or cage of some sort to take advantage of the vertical space in your garden.

Soil and sun requirements – Cucumbers are a moderately heavy feeder, and aren’t particular about the drainage. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5 will do, and good drainage is preferred. They do have a tap root that can grow 2-3 feet down, so a loose soil is good. Sunlight requirements are average, at least 5 hours a day. Mulching around cucumber plants is especially advantageous as they start to sprawl, it becomes difficult to weed. The moisture retention of an organic mulch is a bonus.

Planting – Cucumbers are not at all cold tolerant, so plant after the danger of frost is well past. They don’t respond well to root disturbances, so if you aren’t direct seeding it’s better if you use a peat pot or some similar container that can be directly put into the soil. Plant the seeds at about 3/4 to inch deep.

Container gardening – You can plant cucumbers in containers, but it’s more practical to use dwarf varieties like Bush Crop or Spacemaster for containers. *MORE BELOW*

Gurney’s Burpless Hybrid II Cucumber $3.95 Store: Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co. Salad Bush Hybrid Slicing Cucumber $4.95 Store: Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co. Organic Garden Sweet Burpless Cucumber Hybrid Seeds $3.45 Store: Gardens Alive! Cucumber Trellis, Medium $26.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Cucumber Trellis, Large $29.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Flexible Garden Grids, Set of 4 $26.95 Store: Gardener’s Supply Company Straight Eight Slicing Cucumber $2.25 Store: Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co. Bush Pickle Hybrid Pickling Cucumber $1.95 Store: Gurney’s Seed and Nursery Co.

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Watering and fertilizer – Water needs are typical, about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Cucumbers can use a moderate amount of fertilizer, add a slow acting fertilizer at planting time, and you may want to side dress with a fertilizer once a month or so since the growing season can stretch out for them.

Trellising – Either a commercial trellis or a simple home made trellis will boost the yield per square foot of cucumbers. The aren’t great climbers, so you will probably need to give them a little help, either tying them up with twine or using a simple clip like a clothespin to get the started. The cucumbers themselves will normally hold on without additional support until they are ready to harvest.

Harvesting – Cucumbers are ready to pick when they are dark and green and a medium size. They will yellow if they over-ripen, and will be tough and bitter if they are on the vine too long. Picking increases the plant’s production, so be sure to check often, as once they start producing they can be prolific. Pickling cucumbers can be smaller at harvest, don’t necessarily wait for them to get as large.