How to Plant and Maintain Cucumbers
Cucumbers are crisp, refreshing and easy to grow yourself. Learn how to plant and maintain cucumbers in this video by The Home Depot:
Before you get started, choose your plant. Vining cucumbers require support to encourage vertical climbing while the bush variety is ideal if space in your garden is limited. This video features vining cucumbers.
You will need the following gardening supplies:
- Manure
- Trowel
- Vine cage / trellis
- Fertilizer
- Mulch
- Gardening gloves
- Hose / watering can
1. Add soil; if needed, you can mix in composted or well-rotted manure to condition the soil. Once you’ve prepped the soil, you’ll be ready to plant your cucumbers. Your best bet is to wait until after the last frost of spring when the soil is warmer.
2. For vining cucumbers, you’ll need to support the vine with a fence, trellis or 48-inch tall tomato cage.
3. Using a trowel, dig a 1-inch deep trench along both sides of the support. Space seeds 12 inches apart and cover with soil.
4. Water your cucumbers frequently. The best time to water is mid-morning after the dew has evaporated.
5. Fertilizing the seeds will help yield a robust crop. Do this frequently with organic fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen. You can also sprinkle a slow-release vegetable fertilizer.
6. Cover the soil with 1-2 inches of mulch to help plants retain moisture, protect them from summer heat and reduce drought stress. Use straw, pine bark or shredded leaves.
It usually takes about 46 to 65 days before cucumbers can be harvested, so keep an eye out for firm green flesh. Once they’re ready, you’ll be picking them every day or so as they ripen.
