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When it comes to growing cucumbers, following a few key tips can mean the difference between struggling plants or a really good harvest.
And if you love cucumbers, a big harvest means fresh cucumbers all summer long! Here are 7 key tips to help you get your best harvest: The 7 Secrets to Growing Cucumbers.
1) Plant in a location that receives morning sun
Cucumbers need plenty of sun to produce a bountiful harvest. Cucumbers rely heavily on photosynthesis to build strong, sturdy, and productive vines. A process entirely centered around the sun.
Place your crop in an area that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. And if possible, make sure your plants receive early morning sunlight.
The morning sunlight helps dry the vines and foliage from the morning dew. Dew that, if persistent, can create perfect conditions for mold and plant blight.
2) Quality land for a good harvest of cucumbers
Whether planted in the ground or in containers, cucumbers need rich, fertile soil to grow and thrive. Additionally, the soil should be light and airy to allow good drainage.
When planting, add compost to each planting hole. Compost adds vital nutrients that cucumber plants can easily absorb. But more than that, it also loosens the soil to create excellent drainage.
From forks to shovels and more, there is a wide range of gardening tools that can work well for working compost.
3) Plant in mounds
When planting directly into the ground, plant your crop in slightly tapering mounds. In containers, make sure the main stem is also planted above the surrounding soil.
Cucumber plants are very susceptible to rot. But a little “raised planting” helps keep the main stem of the plant above the water during heavy rains or watering.
4) Seedlings versus direct sowing
Although cucumbers can be easily grown by direct sowing, we prefer to start our seeds early and transplant them. The additional growth and strength from a transplant gives the plant a better chance of avoiding and fighting off dreaded cucumber beetle attacks.
When planting, place two seedlings per cucumber mound. In case of sowing, plant 3 seeds and thin out the 2 strongest ones after a few weeks. By growing several vines per mound, they intertwine to increase their strength.
5) Be careful what you plant nearby
What you plant around your cucumbers will play an important role in their productivity. One thing you should definitely avoid is growing cucumbers near potatoes.
Potatoes release a substance into the soil that significantly hinders the growth of cucumbers. And planting them nearby can have devastating effects on your cucumber crop.
But some crops are very beneficial, such as radishes. When grown near or with cucumbers, radishes help repel pests such as cucumber beetles and aphids that attack tender cucumber plants.
When planting cucumbers, simply sow 5 to 10 radish seeds around the edges of the mounds. The seeds germinate quickly and will help keep beetles away.
6) Good crop rotation
Cucumbers, like tomatoes and peppers, can easily develop soil-borne diseases when planted in the same space year after year.
Rotate your crop to a new location in the garden each season. This allows the soil to recover, minimizes disease and reduces the chance of long-term infestation.
For best results, wait at least three years before replanting cucumbers in the same location.
7) Harvest your cucumbers regularly
Once cucumber plants begin to grow and produce, they must be harvested regularly to continue producing.
When overloaded with a crop, plants will focus their energy on making existing fruit larger, not producing new flowers.
Additionally, cucumbers left on the vine too long will become woody, seedy, and bitter. Check the plants daily, cucumbers can grow 5 to 3 cm in just a day or two!
These are our 7 secrets to growing cucumbers successfully. Now go out and grow your best crop! Feel free to share your tips with the commun
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