Cucumbers are a summer favorite that can be planted in the spring and even all summer long. Well cared for plants can be very abundant and give you extra crispy cucumbers. Cucumbers do best in hot climates and are constantly thirsty, though, so be prepared for a lot of water!
Where to Plant Cucumbers
Cucumbers are extremely frost sensitive and should be planted in full sunlight where they receive a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
When shopping for cucumber seeds you may notice two types—vining cucumbers and bush cucumbers. Bush cucumbers sprawl on the ground and generate a more compact plant, while vine cucumbers like to climb and require trellises.
I personally like planting vining cucumbers. This allows for vertical gardening which means more space for more plants! Vining cucumbers are also usually more convenient since they tend to produce more fruit throughout the growing season. Just add a trellis and you’re good to go!
Soil for Cucumbers
Cucumbers enjoy well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Soil between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit will support the germination of cucumber seeds in 3 to 10 days after planting.
When to Plant Cucumbers
Cucumber plants should not be planted in the garden until soil temperatures are consistently in the 70°F range. This is typically no less than 2 weeks after the last frost.
How to Plant Cucumbers
Cucumbers can be planted directly into the soil or in small pots and later transplanted.
Seeds should be planted 1 to 1.5 inches deep. If planting in containers, you can put 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Once they're in the ground, cucumber plants should be planted about 12 inches apart from each other. They do not need much space since they're trellised. But if you're planting bush cucumbers, you’ll need to allow plants 36 to 60 inches of ground space so they can sprawl on the ground.
Cucumbers can grow pretty well with minimal attention. Feeding them water soluble plant food at least once a week will boost production, but besides that, cucumbers simply need at least 1 inch of water per week in order to produce. It is however important to note that water consistency is key for cucumbers—if water is not consistent you’ll end up with funny shaped cucumbers! If this does end up happening there's no need to worry, though. Your cucumbers are definitely still edible!
Make sure to add 2 to 3 inches of mulch after planting cucumbers in the ground in order to keep the soil warm on chilly nights. This will help their soil retain moisture between rainfall and irrigation as well.
How Long Will it Take to Grow Cucumbers
Cucumbers are ready for harvest when they reach 8 to 10 inches in length. Their color should still be dark green. If you leave cucumbers on the vine for too long, they’ll start to turn yellow. Yellow cucumbers mean they're no longer edible, but they're great for seed saving!