Cucumbers are a favorite in the summer because of their light, refreshing taste. With a few handy tips, you can grow your own in your garden or in a container.
There are several varieties of cucumbers, from short pickling cucumbers to the long, salad-ready English cucumber. There are even round cucumbers, yellow in color, known as apple or lemon cucumbers.
As members of the same family that gives us squash and watermelons, cucumbers thrive in warm weather and sandy soil, but they can grow in most types of well-nourished ground. The ideal temperature range for cucumbers is between 65 and 75 ºF. Cucumbers and the other members of their family do not tolerate frost.
Tips for Planting and Growing Cucumbers
Planting
Because cucumbers grow fairly fast, the soil you plant them in must contain plenty of nutrients and moisture. It is recommended that you prepare your soil in the early spring or the previous fall by working in plenty of organic fertilizer or compost.
To speed up growth, start the plants indoors 10 to 14 days before you intend to plant them outside. Plant the seeds ½ inch deep in peat pots and avoid disturbing the roots when transplanting. Do not plant them outside until you are certain there is no danger of frost.
Make small hills of soil and transplant existing plants, or plant 4 or 5 seeds in each hill, spaced about 4 to 5 feet apart.
Growing
Cucumbers tend to spread all over the garden if allowed to. To avoid having them take over your garden, you can use a trellis for cucumbers to climb. Not only does a trellis save space in your garden, but it also helps prevent rot. The leaves on trellised cucumbers provide shade, which prevents the vegetables from getting sunburned.
Adequate moisture is essential, as cucumbers are 90% water. The plants especially need water when cucumbers begin to appear. To conserve moisture in the soil, you can use mulch or black plastic once the soil has warmed.
Cucumbers are susceptible to diseases, like mildew, and pests, so keep a close watch on your plants.
Containers
There are varieties of cucumbers that are perfect for container gardening. Use a pot that is at least 1 foot in diameter, and the height of the pot should be equal to its diameter.
The seed packet should tell you whether the variety of cucumber you have selected is suitable for containers. You can plant cucumbers directly in the container around mid-May, or as late as July if you prefer a fall harvest.
One advantage of container gardening is that you have greater control over the soil being used. Your mix should contain equal parts potting soil, perlite, sphagnum peat moss, and compost. Avoid using garden soil, as it is likely infested with pests. Be cautious with compost as well, ensuring it was created under high enough temperatures to kill any pests. Use slow-release fertilizers in your pots.
Use stakes in a teepee form to support your plants.
Harvesting
Cucumbers are best when enjoyed within a few hours of harvesting. Pickling cucumbers are ready to harvest in about 48 to 60 days, while other varieties are ready in about 52 to 72 days. Pick cucumbers as soon as they are ripe. If left to yellow on the vine, they will become bitter and slow the ripening of other cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers are best harvested at 3 to 6 inches long, slicing cucumbers at 6 to 10 inches long, and apple cucumbers when they are the size of a small lemon.
