Are you interested in learning how to grow cucumbers but aren’t sure where to begin? You don’t need to be a professional farmer to yield a big harvest of cucumbers. 

And if you’re a huge fan of cucumbers, a big harvest means you’ll have plenty of veggies for salads, sandwiches, and more. 

Read this guide on growing cucumbers to learn how to yield a massive harvest. 

Related: 10 Sweet and Savory Kebab Recipes 

About Cucumbers 

While cucumbers are one of the most popular vegetables, most people don’t know much about them beyond what they taste and look like. 

While you don’t need to know the ins and outs of cucumbers to grow them, there are a couple of basic facts you should know. For example, it’s essential to understand that the two main types of cucumbers are vining cucumbers and bush cucumbers. 

Vining cucumbers: Vining cucumbers are the most common cucumbers, growing on giant vines shaded by large leaves. If you properly care for your vining cucumbers, they’ll grow fast and abundantly. These cucumbers grow best when trained up a fence or trellis. Because they grow off the ground, the vegetables will also be cleaner. 

Bush cucumbers: Bush cucumbers are best suited for small gardens and containers. While they grow short vines, they produce great slicing cucumbers between 6-8 inches long. 

When to Plant Cucumbers 

Choosing the right time to plant your cucumbers is crucial. While you can typically buy cucumbers at the grocery store year-round, you can’t always grow them year-round. 

When you plant cucumbers will depend entirely on where you live. You generally want to plant cucumbers when the top one inch of soil reaches 70 F. For most people, this means growing cucumbers in March, April, or May. 

Related: Grilled Peach Salad 

How to Plant Cucumbers 

Planting cucumbers isn’t as simple as sprinkling a few seeds on the ground. When planting your cucumber seeds, you must consider sunlight, soil, crop rotation, and more. 

You’ll want to choose a sunny and humid spot with loose, organic soil. It’s also essential to select a location with adequate drainage that’s free of debris. You can plant cucumbers in hills or rows about one inch deep. Because cucumbers grow on vines, they need plenty of space. 

If you have a small space, planting them near a trellis or fence is a good idea so they can grow upward. Cucumbers need deep watering about once a week, possibly more if the weather is sweltering for a few days. 

7 Tips for a Massive Harvest 

If you want to yield a massive harvest, keep these tips in mind: 

1. Plant For Early Morning Sun

Cucumbers need plenty of sunlight to grow. Plant your cucumbers in a spot where they can receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. 

You should also place them where they can receive early morning light. 

2. Cucumbers grow best in great soil

Soil plays an instrumental role in the growth of cucumbers. Rich, fertile soil is necessary for cucumbers to grow and thrive, and the soil also needs to be light and airy to allow for good drainage. 

As we mentioned above, you also want to ensure the area is clear of rocks and other debris. When planting, add a few shovels of compost to each planting hole so your cucumbers can get the vital nutrients they need. 

Want to learn about regenerative farming? Click here!

3. Plant In Mounds

Plant your cucumbers on slightly tapered hills if you’re planting them directly in the soil. If you’re planting cucumbers in containers, ensure the main stem sits slightly above the surrounding ground. 

Cucumbers are susceptible to rot, so keeping the main stem out of the ground will keep it safe from water during heavy rainfall. 

4. Seeding vs. transplanting

While you can quickly grow cucumbers by direct seeding, many prefer to start their seeds early, then transplant them. A transplant’s added strength and growth give your cucumbers a better chance of avoiding a beetle attack. 

You should plant two transplants for each cucumber mound when planting. 

5. Keep an eye on what you plant nearby

As mentioned, cucumbers need plenty of space to grow, so keep an eye on what you plant nearby. Avoid growing your cucumbers near potatoes, as potatoes release a substance that can hinder the growth of cucumbers. 

6. Crop Rotation

Avoid planting your cucumbers in the same space year after year to prevent soil-borne disease. Rotate your cucumbers to a new location in your garden each season. 

7. Harvest Regularly

Once your cucumbers start to grow and produce, remember to pick them regularly. This will ensure that your cucumbers continue to create new blooms. 

Are you looking for some more cucumber tips? Check out this post!

Harvesting 

You should pick your cucumbers every couple of days at pick harvest time. If you let your cucumbers grow too big, they’ll be bitter. You should harvest regular slicing cucumbers when they’re about 6-8 inches long and dill cucumbers when they’re about 4-6 inches long. 

Cucumbers should be firm, green, and crisp when you harvest them. Don’t let your cucumbers turn yellow. 

Common Problems You Might Face 

Here are some problems you might face when growing cucumbers and how to fix them:

• Powdery mildew: Train vines to grow vertically for better airflow to avoid powdery mildew. 
• Beetles: Grow your cucumbers a good way away from foliage and ground gardens to prevent beetle infestations. 
• Angular leaf spots: This disease can quickly spread and cause lesions on your cucumber leaves. Get your seeds from a reputable nursery to avoid this issue. 

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Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to grow cucumbers, it’s time to start planting. With the above tips, you’ll have a massive yield and plenty of veggies for cooking. 

If you want to put your cucumbers to use, check out this Jennifer Aniston salad recipe!