Cucumber Garden Guide

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Cucumber

Cucumber Stat Summary

Plant Spacing: 8-15" (203-381 mm)
Row Spacing: 36-48" (914-1219 mm)
Planting Depth: 1/2-1" (12-25 mm)
Plants Per Person: 2
Soil Temperature: 65-90°F (18-32°C)
Days to Emergence: 4-14
Recommended Soil PH: 5.8-6.7
Seed Indoors: 6 weeks before transplanting
Earliest Outdoor Planting: After Last Frost
Tick Can direct seed outdoors
Tick Can seed indoors

Planting Cucumber

Cucumbers are a warm season crop; they prefer a light fertile soil at least 65 degrees F and a pH of 5.8 to 6.7. Direct plant in groups of 4 to 6 seeds in raised beds or hills; this helps improve drainage. Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep with 3 to 4 feet between each group in all directions.

For transplanting, start seeds indoors in 3 1/2 inch across individual peat pots, this allows replanting the cucumbers without disturbing their roots. Fill pots with sterile seedling mix and plant seeds 1/2 inch deep. Transplant in garden when seedlings are about 3 weeks old. Set the whole peat pot in the soil, making sure the entire pot rim is below the soil line.

Thin to 8 to 15 inches apart in rows or 2 to 3 plants per group. Snip off plants when thinning to avoid disturbing the roots of nearby plants.

Growing Cucumber

Mulch around plants to help consistent moisture. Cucumbers are heavy feeders and require nitrogen fertilizer, and/or additions of high-N organic matter sources; pale, yellowish leaves indicate nitrogen deficiency and leaf bronzing is a sign of potassium deficiency.

Harvesting and Storing Cucumber

Harvest regularly and remove any old fruit to encourage continuous production. Best if eaten fresh, but can be stored for up to 3 weeks at 40 to 45 degrees F and 95% humidity.

Cucumber Insect and Disease Information

When young seedlings, control striped and spotted cucumber beetles by covering with floating row cover. When plants mature, use applications of Rotenone-Pyrethrin. Removal of old plants will help reduce the likelihood of cucumber diseases.

Cucumber Yield Information

You may want to grow more cucumber if you are planning on doing a lot of pickling.