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Growing Cucumber

 

  • Ideal Soil pH for Cucumbers: 6.5

  • Ideal Climate for Cucumbers: 70 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit 

  • Daily sunlight needed for Cucumbers: 10 hours

  • Watering Cucumbers: Keep soil consistently moist (frequent low volume watering) 

Step 1: Choosing a Location to Plant Cucumber

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Cucumbers should be planted in an area with lots of sunlight that stays warm and humid. An area with loose soil that drains well is preferred. Cucumbers are one of the easier veggies to grow so don't be afraid to take a crack at growing them even if the conditions available to you aren't ideal.

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Cucumbers are a vine crops so be sure to give each plant plenty of room (2 feet on each side) or even better, have a structure such as a lattice that your cucumber vines can climb.

Step 2: Choosing Cucumber Seeds

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There are two main groups of cucumbers, slicing varieties and pickling varieties. The slicing varieties are typically around 6 - 10 inches while the pickling varieties are around 2 - 4 inches.

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Where to Get Seeds

Cucumber seeds are usually easy to find at almost any home improvement or garden store. Burpee seeds generally have a high rate of germination, but the best thing to do is take seeds straight from an organic cucumber from the store or from a friend that grows them locally.

Step 3: Preparing Soil for Growing Cucumber

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Cucumber plants need soil that has good drainage and lots of organic matter. If your native soil has poor drainage then cucumber plants can be planted in mounds that are a combination of compost and silt with a little sand mixed in. If you plant to plat them in your native soil it is still a good idea to add compost, and be sure to clear the area around where you will be planting to give the vines room to spread.

Step 4: Planting Cucumber Seeds

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It is recommended to wait until after the last frost and then plant your cucumber seeds in the garden as opposed to starting the seed in starter containers inside given that cucumber plants do not always do well when transplanted. 

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Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep in loose compost amended soil, and plant seeds 6 to 8 inches apart (they will be thinned out later so the plant are 1.5 to 2 feet apart). Water the soil thoroughly after planting and if there looks to be a cold spell on the horizon after planting, you can cover the area with dark plastic.

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Step 5: Watering Cucumbers

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Cucumbers have a very high water content and shallow root systems, so if you want a successful harvest adequate watering is the key component. Cucumbers need about 1.5 to 2 inches of water weekly, and a good moisture check is to make sure the top 6 inches of soil is consistently moist. It is best to water everyday with enough volume to keep the topsoil moist.

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Its best to water in the morning hours when the moisture is able to penetrate the soil before it evaporates. It is also good practice to focus the watering around the base of the plant and avoid watering the foliage to reduce the chance of diseases developing.

Step 6: Fertilizing Cucumbers

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When mixing fertilizer into your soil before planting cucumbers it is best to look for 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer and follow the instructions on the bag. Aside from the manufacturer's instructions though, a good rule of thumb is 1-2 pounds mixed in for every 100 square feet. It is usually best not to add much additional fertilizer after planting but it can be done by diluting with water per the manufacturer's instructions.

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Many prefer not to go the store bought fertilizer route, so you can always add mature compost. Compost can also be store bought or produced at home and have positive effects for all plants. It is best to mix in compost with native soil before planting but it can also be added around the base of plants after they are established.

Step 7: Harvesting Cucumbers

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In general, cucumbers should be ready to harvest 55 to 70 days after planting. Keep in mind the target size for the variety you are growing which can vary quite drastically between the different cucumber varieties. As for most fruits and veggies, the darker the color the riper it is!

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Harvest cucumbers in the morning if possible when the vines are still cool and use shears to cut them off as opposed to bending the vines. In peak harvest season you may be harvesting cucumbers everyday, and if you find some that have become too ripe or look diseased be sure to cut them off as soon as you notice them.

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