Cucumbers are a delicious and versatile summer vegetable, perfect for everything from salads to pickles. Growing cucumbers is relatively easy, as long as you give them plenty of sun, water, and room to vine.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant and is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Other members of the family include watermelon and cantaloupe, squashes including summer squash, winter squash, courgette (zucchini) and pumpkin. Cucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of their overall nutrient richness, but this long-beloved food provides us with a unique combination of conventional nutrients and phytonutrients.

Cucumber plants are far more versatile than you might imagine. Their mild, slightly sweet flavor makes them the perfect palate for many dishes – Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern, you name it!

With a little care and attention, you can enjoy fresh cucumbers from your own garden in no time. How many cucumbers can you expect per plant? Well, it depends on the variety of cucumber, the size of the cucumber, and the care given to the plant but generally, you can expect at least two to three good cucumbers per plant.

Cucumber Varieties

Cucumbers are a creeping vine that bears fruits. From a biological standpoint, cucumbers are actually fruits, not vegetables. (Fruits are parts of flowering plants that come from the ovary).

There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and seedless. The slicing types are long and usually grow to about 6 or 8 inches in length while the pickling types are shorter, reaching around 3 to 4 inches once mature. Seedless types of cucumbers arise through a natural process called parthenogenesis, cucumber plants can fruit without pollen. In the absence of pollen, seeds do not develop in the fruit. While some people have a personal preference for seedless cucumbers and melons, it’s worth remembering that cucumber seeds are rich source of phytonutrients that may not be found in anywhere close to the same amount in the skin or flesh.

Growing cucumbers in Containers

There are now many bush or compact varieties of cucumbers available that are ideal for growing in pots. Cucumbers can grow in two different forms: vines and bushes. Vines need a fence or trellis to climb up on, while bushes are more compact and grow in one spot. If you have the space, vine cucumbers yield a higher harvest, but bush cucumbers are better suited for smaller spaces and grow well in pots.

Burpless’ cucumbers are sweeter and lighter in taste – bred to contain low or no cucurbitacin compounds that causes bitterness. It was originally believed cucurbitacin or ‘bitterness’ increases ‘burping’ after eating the fruits.

Sometimes “gherkin” is used to refer to small cucumbers and pickles but the term “gherkin” can also be used to describe a cucumber variety that comes from a different species of plant (Cucumis anguiria). The Gherkin is a small fruited type of Cucumber, and is used for pickling. Ordinary Cucumbers are also often picked small for this purpose.

Cucumber Basics

Cucumbers are part of the gourd family, which includes squash, pumpkins, and melons. There are two main types of cucumbers: slicing cucumbers and pickling cucumbers. Slicing cucumbers are the type you’re likely to find at the grocery store; they’re longer and have smooth, dark green skin. Pickling cucumbers are shorter and stockier, with bumpy light green skin. For both types, look for ones that are heavy for their size and have deep green coloration. Avoid cucumbers with yellow or brown patches, which is a sign of over-maturity.

When to Plant Cucumbers

Cucumber seeds can be sown directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area with a short growing season, you can start cucumber seeds indoors about three weeks before transplanting them outside. Sow seed about 1/2 inch deep in sterile potting mix; keep soil moist but not wet and maintain a temperature of 65-75 degrees until seedlings emerge. When seedlings have their first true leaves, thin them so that only the strongest seedling remains in each pot. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature has reached at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to plant cucumbers

Cucumbers are one of the most popular salad vegetables that we grow in our gardens and are one of the easiest plants you can grow as they require minimal effort on your part. Plant where they will get full sun but in hot climate afternoon shade is best. Cucumbers are planted in raised beds or in low mounds of soil (called ‘hills’), which improve drainage. Sow seeds, 2.5 cm deep in the raised soil, either directly in the position where the plants are intended to grow or for seedlings grown on a windowsill.

Where to Plant Cucumbers

Cucumbers need full sun – at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to produce high yields. They also need rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Before planting, work compost or aged manure into the planting bed to improve drainage and add nutrients; then direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings about 24 inches apart in rows that are four to six feet apart. If you have limited space, consider growing cucumbers on a trellis or other supports; this will also keep fruits clean and free of disease.

Cucumber plant spacing

Set Cucumber plants in their ”hills” six feet apart each way. When the plants have made three rough leaves, pinch out the leader to induce the lateral growths. These in turn should be pinched back to develop the fruit bearing laterals, and as soon as the fruit has formed pinch these back also at one or two joints beyond the fruit.

Watering & Fertilizing Cucumbers

Cucumbers need consistent moisture – about one to two inches per week – to produce best results. Water at the base of plants rather than overhead to avoid leaf diseases; water in the morning so that leaves have time to dry before nightfall. If possible, use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems instead of sprinklers to minimize leaf diseases even further. Cucumber plants will benefit from a monthly application of organic fertilizer such as compost tea or fish emulsion; side-dress plants when they begin blooming for best results.

Cucumber plant care

Continue this treatment as long as necessary to increase the bearing productivity of the plants. Do not allow the fruit to remain on the plant once it is of proper size, for Cucumbers must be kept picked, otherwise bearing will cease. Pick any single early fruit to force a numerous growth. Liquid fertilizer applied to the plants when in full growth causes them to run to leaf, and will reduce the yield.

The Hardy Ridge variety is quite easy to grow in the open. Sow the seed in pots and keep on the window sill indoors until safe to plant outdoors. Cucumbers thrive on rich, fertile and well-drained soil. And one of the best ways to provide that is to add in generous amounts of compost at planting time. Homemade compost is the perfect soil additive for growing healthy cucumber plants. It’s rich, nutrient-filled humus provides a big boost for plants. But it also helps to retain moisture to the roots too.

Plant cucumbers as a catch crop between greens and other crops. When the little cucumbers are formed, pinch off the end of the vine. Outdoor cucumbers are very prolific, and of quite a different flavor from those grown in greenhouses. While warm temperatures are required for growing, cucumbers require a relatively short season–55 to 60 days from sowing to harvest.

Harvesting & Storing Cucumbers

Pick cucumber fruits regularly – at least every other day – to keep plants producing at peak levels. Use sharp pruning shears or a knife to cut fruits from stems; do not pull on vines as this can damage plant roots. For crispiest texture, eat cucumber fruits as soon after harvest as possible; if you can’t eat them right away, store in the fridge for up to one week. Pickling cucumber fruits can be stored in a cool pantry for up to two weeks before pickling; if storing for longer periods of time, place in the fridge where they will keep for up to two months.”

Cucumber Growing Tips

• Select hardy, disease-resistant outdoor varieties – they are less fussy than greenhouse types
• Keep soil evenly moist to prevent the fruit from becoming bitter
• Mulch cucumber plants heavily
• A scoop of well-rotted manure gets cucumber seedlings off to a good start
• Avoid watering on leaves as cucumbers are prone to mildew
• harvest regularly to keep plants producing at peak levels

With their versatility and easy care requirements, cucumbers are a great addition to any home garden! By following these simple tips on how to plant, water, fertilize, and harvest your cucumber crop, you’ll be enjoying fresh salads and pickles all summer long!

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