Cultivation of cucumber plants

Growing cucumbers

Cucumbers can only be planted outdoors after the last frosts in spring. They are often pre-cultivated indoors to extend the harvest time. However, you should not sow cucumbers too early, as they grow quite quickly. If you sow them too early, they can go to seed if there is too little light, or they will grow too large and no longer have enough space in their seed pot.

Sowing cucumbers - the right time

You should start growing your cucumber seedlings approx. 3-4 weeks before the planting date. This will give them enough time to grow strong but still fit into their seed pots. A good time to sow cucumbers outdoors is therefore around mid-April. In the greenhouse, you can possibly start 2-3 weeks earlier.

Direct sowing of cucumbers in the open field

You can also sow cucumbers directly outdoors, but then you can only start harvesting later. The temperature should be at least 15 ° C/59 ° F, which is usually only the case in May when there are no more frosts. Pre-grown cucumber seedlings are about 4 weeks ahead of directly sown plants.

Sowing cucumbers - what you need:

• Cucumber seeds, growing soil, spray bottle
• Growing pots that are at least 10 x 10 cm/3.9 x 3.9 in in size
• Possibly a propagator, this keeps the temperature and humidity high
• Sufficient light, between 10-12 hours a day
• Plant labels so that you know what you have sown in which pots

Growing overview

• Sowing date: Beginning/mid-April, 3-4 weeks before the planting date are ideal
• Sowing depth: 1 - 2 cm/0.4 - 0.8 in
• Germination temperature: 20-29 ° C/68 - 84 ° F, germination time: 3-10 days
• Pot size: min. 10 x 10 cm/3.9 x 3.9 in, as cucumbers do not like to be pricked out
• Sufficient light, min. 12 hours daily
• Keep the soil sufficiently moist until germination, but not wet
• it should not dry out

Pre-sprout cucumber seeds

You can soak cucumber seeds in lukewarm water or chamomile tea for approx. 8-12 hours or overnight before sowing. Pre-soaking the seeds accelerates and improves the germination and growth of your cucumbers. The chamomile tea also kills germs so that your cucumber plants can grow healthier.

Pickling cucumbers

As cucumbers and other cucurbits are very sensitive to repotting, it is better not to repot them and sow them directly in pots measuring 10 x 10 cm/3.9 x 3.9 in. Cucumbers germinate quite quickly, after approx. 3-10 days. As you can only plant them outside from mid-May, it is perfectly fine to start your cucumbers in April.

Planting out cucumbers

Only when the temperatures are already consistently above 15 ° C/59 ° F can you plant your seedlings outdoors. Before doing so, however, you should slowly acclimatize them to the conditions outside and harden them off. When planting out, a sunny location with well-drained, nutrient-rich soil is important. Make sure there is enough space between your plants for good air circulation.