Cucumber
How to sow cucumbers successfully under cover?
For successful cucumber sowing under cover, we recommend planting in peat pots or biodegradable cellulose cups. Fill them with light, well-draining potting soil, then place a cucumber seed 1 or 2 centimetres deep. Water regularly, but sparingly to avoid excess moisture.
It's best to sow your cucumbers under cover in early spring, around March-April, in a bright, warm spot. Make sure you maintain a constant temperature of around 20 to 25°C to encourage germination. Once the plants have 3 or 4 leaves, you can transplant them into the open ground after the last frosts.
Be careful not to bury the seeds too deeply, not to leave them in excess water and to watch out for fungal diseases. To encourage the growth of your plants, you can install stakes to guide them and protect them from the wind.
How do I sow cucumbers outdoors?
To ensure the success of your outdoor cucumber seedlings, it is important to plant them in spring, when there is no risk of frost. Prepare the soil by carefully weeding it and working it deeply so that it is well aerated. To sow, make holes a few centimetres deep and about 50 centimetres apart. Place one or two seeds in each hole and cover with soil. Make sure you water the planting regularly, especially during dry spells.
How do I plant cucumbers?
To plant cucumbers, it's important to choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. The best time to plant cucumbers is in spring, once any risk of frost has passed. If you're growing cucumbers in the ground, make sure the soil is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. You can improve soil quality by adding compost or well-decomposed manure before planting.
Before planting, soak the cucumber seeds in water for a few hours to improve germination. You can sow the seeds directly in the ground or start by transplanting them after a few weeks into individual pots. Once the seedlings have developed a few leaves, you can transplant them into the ground, spacing the plants about 50 centimetres apart.
Cucumbers appreciate regular, plentiful watering, especially during hot spells. Make sure you mulch around the plants to keep the soil moist and limit weeds. Finally, to encourage cucumber growth, you can install stakes to help them climb and avoid contact with the ground.
When should cucumbers be harvested?
The best time to harvest cucumbers is in summer, when they are fully ripe. To know when to harvest, simply check the size of the cucumber, which should be around 15 to 20 centimetres long. To harvest, gently cut the cucumber with a sharp knife, leaving a small piece of stem attached. This will keep the cucumber fresher for longer.
Once harvested, cucumbers will keep for about a week in the fridge. We recommend wrapping them in a paper towel to absorb the moisture and prevent them from softening too quickly. They can also be preserved by putting them in a jar with water, but it's best to eat them quickly to enjoy their freshness and nutritional benefits.
Cucumber
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Fruiting vegetables
- Botanical Family : Cucurbits
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Sensitive
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 30 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 2 cm
- Plant Spacing : 60 cm
- Row Spacing : 120 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : High
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing