How do cucumbers grow best?

QUESTION: How do cucumbers grow best? I want to give mine the best chance of making a lot of cukes this year, because last year my crop was disappointingly small. – Mary A

ANSWER: Cucumbers grow best when planted in well-draining, aerated soil. This allows them to receive water, but it also allows the water to drain from the plants quickly. It ensures the plants aren’t left in consistently soggy conditions.

Cucumbers also need full sun. This means they should receive a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Don’t move your cucumber plants outdoors, if you start them from seed, until the temperatures are between 65- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit.

You can grow cucumbers in a garden plot, raised bed, or container. It’s recommended to give your cucumbers a trellis to grow up.

In my experience, it makes it easier to pick your cucumbers, protects them from sitting on moist soil, and also keeps your garden area neater.

I prefer to grow smaller varieties of cucumbers in a container as this provides me with more control over the growing conditions of my plants.

When growing in a container, you pick the soil, where you want your cucumbers to grow, and can even trellis them for easier picking.

The only downside is, even if you practice the deep watering method, you still need to water more frequently as there’s less soil for the plants to pull moisture from. You also must ensure you pick a larger container with ample drainage. 

If you prefer to grow larger cucumbers, it’s best to plant them in the ground or in a raised bed. Be mindful of the growing conditions to provide your plants with the greatest chance of success.

Hopefully, this provides you with a good idea on how cucumbers will grow best in your set-up. They’re an easy plant to grow and will produce an abundance if given the appropriate growing conditions and care.

Learn More About Growing Cucumbers

http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenef65b.html

https://ag.umass.edu/home-lawn-garden/fact-sheets/cucumbers-growing-tips

https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2002/4-5-2002/cucumbers.html