In most cases, cucumbers are a vital part of any summer garden. They are prolific and extremely easy to grow. Find a section of your garden that has fertile, evenly moist soil, full sun, and it's almost guaranteed that your cucumbers will grow.

When growing cucumbers, there are other things to keep in mind, however. They demand a steady supply of water and are heavy feeders, as with most summer vine crops. Before planting them, deep into the soil, be sure to work plenty of organic matter (well-rotted manure/compost). This will help provide the much-needed nutrients for your cucumber plants and help the soil retain moisture. Throughout the season, it is preferred that the cucumbers’ soil pH be at or higher than 6.8.

Limited Space

If your space is severely limited, as long as they receive full sun, cucumbers should grow beautifully on a deck or patio. Containers can house these cucumber plants: Pickle Bush, Bush Companion, and Salad Bush are just a few. To support one or two plants, a 5-gallon pot or larger should provide you with fresh cucumbers throughout the season.

Where to Begin

Should you start with already sprouted plants or from scratch with cucumber seeds?

Truth be told, transplanting cucumbers can be tricky. The roots do not like disturbances. About three weeks before setting out, if you want to start some cucumber plants in peat pots indoors, however, go for it. Make sure all frost has passed and the soil temperature is around 60°F or higher before transplanting.

When planting seeds, approximately two or three cucumber seeds should be pushed into soil at a depth of about 1 inch. Plant your groups of seeds as much is 36 inches apart, or as little as 18 inches apart. Closer spacing may be tolerated depending on the type of cucumber bush you choose. In a matter of days, seedlings will pop out of the ground if the soil is moist.

Cucumber Cultivation

Once established in your garden, cucumbers don't require a lot of attention. For a great harvest, here are some tips:

• Feed your cucumbers well – Early in the season, fertilizer won't be needed if you incorporated organic matter into the soil before you planted. To keep plants in production, however, a balanced soluble fertilizer should be used after your plants start blooming and setting veggies.
• Make sure steady moisture is provided – Water once a week or provide a drip irrigation system.

Growing Your Cucumbers

Mulch should be brown or black plastic. In your cucumber bed, you'll use dark plastic mulch to keep soil moist.

Think vertically. Think about growing cucumber vine varieties such as Tasty Green or Sweet Success when planning your garden. By keeping the vines from sprawling through the garden and containing them, you'll make the best use of your garden space. Additionally, this will help develop straight, clean cukes.

Diseases and Insects

The insects you have to worry about most with your cucumbers are spider mites, aphids, and cucumber beetles. Above your transplanted or emerging seedlings, place a floating cover to discourage beetles and moths.

Diseases such as scab disease, mosaic, powdery/downy mildews, bacterial wilt, and anthracnose tend to affect cucumbers. However, great disease tolerance is held by many hybrids today. Consider the more resistant types for next season if you have problems with cucumber diseases this year.

Cucumber Seeds and More!

At DIY Tool Supply, we offer an extensive array of gardening supplies. From tools to pots to utility gloves, we have everything you need. That includes all the vegetable plant seeds you could possibly desire!

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