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| Courtesy Pixabay |
Delicious eaten fresh or pickled, here is your quick guide to growing cucumbers!
Cucumbers are vining crops and considered tender, warm season vegetables. What does that mean? Don’t plant them too early! They are intolerant to frost. Warm season vegetables prefer temperatures between 70ºF - 95ºF. Wait until the soil temperature, at a 2-inch depth, is 60ºF. It is recommended to wait one week past the average spring frost date to plant. Monitor the weather forecast and if spring weather continues to be chilly, then plantings should be delayed.
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| Photo: Dorianne Bautista |
Take your pick and start them from either seeds or transplants.
Going the seed route?
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| Photo: Dorianne Bautista |
The optimum temperature for germination is 90°F. However, the range for germination is 60F° - 100F°. Plant 5-6 seeds in hills/mounds, approximately 1” deep in well-drained soils that are high in organic matter. With ideal conditions, seedlings emerge in approximately 6-10 days. Thin to 2-3 of the strongest seedlings. If you choose to direct seed, it is reported to produce higher yields!
Choosing to grow cucumbers from transplants?
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| Photo: Dorianne Bautista |
Pick small, 2-4 week old starts. It’s important to note that the root systems of vine crops are extremely sensitive to disturbance. Take extra care when translating if using starts.
Whether from seeds or starts, plants should be spaced 6” apart if trellised and 24-36” apart if not trellised. Expect these plants to use 1 to 1½” of water per week. Best irrigation practices are a thorough watering every 5-7 days, rather than lightly sprinkling each day.
Cucumbers typically can be harvested in 55-60 days.
Interested in more detailed cucumber information? Check out the resources below!
Disclaimer: Jefferson County Master Gardener does not endorse any commercial products. Mention of products in articles, photographs, or videos does not mean endorsement.
