How to Plant Cucumbers
Required Materials
Growing cucumbers is quite easy. You only need the basic tools and materials in gardening. Cucumbers can be grown from seeds so you can purchase them and plant them right away in your cucumber garden.
Planning the Site
Choose a site where the cucumber plants can take advantage of the sun. Ideal soil for planting cucumbers is that which has a pH of 6 to 7. There should be adequate space as cucumbers can grow rapidly and may reach 6 feet in just a short amount of time.
Preparing the Site
For better planting results, prepare the soil at least one month ahead before planting by enriching it with organic compost or rotted manure. Cucumbers are climbing vines. You may plant them near a fence or you could set up a frame on which their vines can climb.
Also, remember that you need to leave spaces between the cucumber seeds you plant.
Cucumbers are not good competitors for nutrients. It is important that you weed your cucumber garden regularly.
Watering Requirements
When the cucumbers are flowering and fruiting, it would be best to provide them with an inch of water weekly. This is because the more moisture the cucumbers absorb, the sweeter and juicier they become.
Nutrients Required
Fertilizers rich in nitrogen are best for the cucumber plants. Organic compost or well-rotted manure is also welcome.
Seasons
Since they love the sun, the best time to grow cucumbers would be summer time when the sun is always up. Just make sure that during these times, you do not forget to water your plants.
Expectations / Result
Cucumbers can be harvested when they are the right size, usually 50 to 60 days after planting. The ideal color of cucumbers is dark green. Do not wait for them to turn yellow before harvesting. This is because the cucumbers would have already become over ripe and this makes their flavor bitter.
