First-time gardeners can feel overwhelmed by the range of choices. Add in all the information you need to figure out and it can be hard to know where to start. To make things easy, start with cucumbers!
Are cucumbers easy to grow at home? Cucumbers do not need a lot of requirements to grow. Start with fertile soil, and a sunny location, and stick to a regular watering schedule. As long as you wait to plant your cucumbers until it is late May or early June, you will have a bountiful harvest.
Are cucumber plants easy to grow?
Yes, cucumbers are easy to grow which is why beginner gardeners like to choose them. As long as you start with the right conditions, there isn’t much you need to do with them.
Cucumbers like heat so always plant them in full sun. A bit of afternoon shade is okay, but otherwise, keep them exposed.
The soil should be fertile so mix in compost with your dirt. This will also keep the soil light and airy, which will promote growth.
The only other consideration you need when growing cucumbers is to remember to water them. Stick to a strict watering schedule so the plants don’t dry out, especially when the cucumbers themselves are growing.
Can I grow cucumbers at home?
You can definitely grow cucumbers at home. Cucumbers and tomatoes are staples of beginner gardeners so don’t be afraid to experiment.
You have two choices when growing cucumbers at home. You can plant vine cucumbers that spread out or, if you don’t have a lot of space, you can plant bush cucumbers.
While vine cucumbers will grow along the ground if you leave them, it is better to use a support structure like a trellis or fence. Then, the cucumbers will grow up which means less chance of disease and cleaner cucumbers.
You can also grow bush cucumbers which are an excellent option if you want to plant them in a container. Bush cucumbers are more compact but will still produce a lot.
How to grow cucumbers at home
By seed
In order for seeds to start growing, they need to be exposed to heat. For cucumbers, this is a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have a long growing season, you can start your cucumber seeds outside. However, if you have a short growing season, it’s best to get a head start and plant the seeds inside.
Use small pots and fill them with soil that does not have any peat in it. Then, place the seeds so they are just ½ an inch deep.
Add some water to allow the soil to settle and place the seeds in a warm, sunny area.
In about seven days, the seeds should start to sprout. You can then transfer them to larger pots once the seedlings grow a pair of leaves.
Wait until it is late May or early June to transplant your cucumber seedlings. In particular, pay attention to overnight temperatures as you don’t want there to be any threat of frost.
By seedlings
One of the reasons to grow cucumbers is that they are easy to do so. If you want to make it even easier on you, start with seedlings instead of seeds.
For planting, simply wait until late May or early June. Then, take your store-bought seedlings and plant them in the garden.
The soil should have compost mixed into it for a fresh start with nutrients. It should also drain well and not be too compact.
Successive planting
If you want multiple cucumber plants, just remember that each plant can produce around 10 cucumbers, which is a lot. In order not to have them ready all at once, employ successive planting.
Successive planting is when you plant one crop multiple times, spread out over a week or two. This way, once one cucumber plant is finished producing, the next plant will just be starting.
If you are worried about your growing season, you can select multiple types of cucumbers so they are ready at different times.
How long do cucumbers take to grow?
It will take between 50 and 70 days for cucumbers to grow. This number will depend on the variety you choose as well as how warm the temperature is.
It’s important to note that cucumbers taste best when they are immature, or just barely ripe. The longer cucumbers stay on the vine, the more bitter they will become.
Harvest cucumbers when they have a deep green color. Once they start to turn yellow, you can still eat them but they won’t taste as good.
One issue with cucumbers is they seem to all ripen at the same time. Try to get creative with your cucumbers to enjoy them all and think of preservation alternatives, such as canning pickles.
How do I store cucumbers?
If you find yourself with an abundance of cucumbers all ready at once, be sure to harvest them instead of leaving them on the vine. If you wait too long, they will start to taste bitter.
Cucumbers will last for about one week in the refrigerator. For proper storage, clean them after harvesting and place them in a warmer part of your fridge, near the door.
While it’s best to store whole cucumbers, you can also keep sliced cucumbers. Place any slices in a container filled with water, then put a secure lid on it and place it in the fridge. The cucumbers will last for a few days with this method.
Pickling is a relatively easy solution if you have a surplus of cucumbers. All you need is vinegar, some herbs of your choice, and a pot large enough to boil the jars in. There are many easy pickling recipes you can find online and some don’t even require the boiling method.
Conclusion
Gardening does not have to be hard work. Stick to something simple, like cucumbers, so that you can enjoy the gardening process and be rewarded for your efforts.
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