They are good for snacks, salads, and even skincare.
Cucumbers also can be added to water for light flavoring.
Although cucumbers can run into issues with pests, they are still pretty easy to grow from seed.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Most varieties are ready for harvesting in 50 to 70 days.
Here’s how to start cucumbers from seedfor your garden.
You’ll find bush varieties, as well as vining cucumbers.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Bush varieties don’t need staking, but they can take up a lot of garden space.
Often, vining cucumbers are allowed to sprawl along the ground.
Wait until the soil has warmed to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit before planting your seeds.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
ensure you know which pop in of cucumber you’re planting: bush or vining.
Cooler temperatures can slow the process, and temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit will likely prevent germination.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Once the seedlings are around 4 inches tall, it’s time to thin them.
Add mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture.
Tend to the Plants
Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Around an inch of water per week is fine, but plan to water more in hot weather.
Avoid an irregular watering schedule, as this can result in oddly shaped andbitter cucumbers.
have a go at keep the foliage dry when you water to help prevent fungal diseases.
The Spruce / K. Dave
you could also side-dress with some compost to boost growth.
But they also might bring in some pests and diseases.
The cucumber beetle is the most likely pest to target your crop.
Choosing a good variety also can help to prevent pests and diseases.
Asian cucumbers, for example, are more disease resistant than larger varieties.
‘Straight Eight’ is resistant to the mosaic virus, a common cucumber malady.
And ‘Tasty Jade’ grows well on a trellis, saving space in the garden.
Another major key to avoid pests and diseases lies incrop rotation.
If you have pest-attracting gourds in the same place season after season, they will be prone to problems.
Harvest as soon as they reach this mature size.
Letting them continue to grow will adversely affect flavor and quality.
Check the vines daily forharvestable cucumbers.
Use a knife or pruners to cut the stem, as pulling them off can damage the vine.
Cucumbers will keep in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic for a little over a week.
