There is hardly a garden where cucumbers would not grow. But often summer residents grow this vegetable on a whim, without taking into account the nuances of care. As a result, it receives yields less than it could. And plants die quickly, although they have much more potential. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to grow cucumbers the right way.
When to sow cucumbers
The timing of sowing cucumbers depends on the region.
In the middle lane and Moscow region:
- germinated seeds in glass and film greenhouses – in mid-May;
- under temporary film shelters – at the end of May;
- in open ground – until June 5.
Ready seedlings in open ground can be planted after June 10. Or in the same period, film shelters are removed. Unfortunately, in the middle lane, cold weather can drag on until mid-June. Given the general recommendations, it is still better to keep an eye on the weather.
Gift, Pencil babies, Scent of summer
In the Leningrad region
- sowing for seedlings – the end of April – the first days of May;
- seedlings are planted in an unheated film or glass greenhouse on May 20–25;
- cucumbers are planted under film tunnel shelters on May 20–25.
You can remove film shelters from cucumber plantations on June 10–15.
In the Urals and Siberia
The favorable period for the growth and fruiting of cucumbers in the Urals, where the climate is harsh and rather cold, is very limited: frosts can be until the first decade of June, and sometimes until the end of the second decade of June, and already in the third decade of August they begin again. Therefore, in the northern regions, cucumbers are grown mainly in greenhouses and very often through seedlings. Seedlings are planted no earlier than the third decade of May. To quickly warm the soil in the beds, you can use the following method: immediately after the snow melts, the beds are shed with warm water and covered with a film or lutrasil.
Cucumber seedlings are planted in the Urals
- in film greenhouses without biofuel – May 20;
- in film greenhouses with manure – May 1;
- cucumbers can be sown in open ground in the 20th of May, if there is shelter.
- Cucumbers are planted in the ground until June 10.
In the southern regions of Russia
Here, cucumber seeds are sown directly in open ground from mid-April to early May. The optimal time for sowing seedlings is the last days of March.
In the Rostov region, cucumber seeds can be sown in open ground as early as the end of April. In the same period, seedlings can be planted. When sowing cucumbers for seedlings, keep in mind that they do not tolerate transplanting well: it is better to sow cucumbers in separate peat pots.
In Crimea
In this region, cucumber seeds are sown in open ground in early May, at the same time ready-made seedlings are planted, at the age of 25–30 days. For seedlings, seeds are sown in early to mid-March.
How to prepare cucumber seeds for sowing
There are several options.
Soak. The most popular method of pre-sowing seed treatment. It is known to everyone who has ever planted cucumbers. Soaking accelerates the germination of cucumber seeds, but washes away the protective layer if the seeds have been treated by the manufacturer against infections, and reduces the resistance of germinating seeds to adverse conditions.
A slight cooling or short-term drying can be safe for dry cucumber seeds, and for pre-soaked ones it can be fatal. Therefore, soaking makes sense when sowing cucumbers for seedlings at home, and when sowing in the ground – only if the weather is good.
For soaking cucumber seeds, it is advisable to choose a transparent container, plastic or glass. A napkin is laid out on its bottom in several layers, paper, gauze or cloth, the seeds are laid out and poured so that the water stands, but does not cover the seeds entirely. Soak the seeds for 1-2 days until the shell cracks.
Germination. Pre-germination of cucumber seeds before sowing is used if there is doubt about their germination. In order not to waste space, you can sow only those seeds that have already sprouted. Their disadvantage is that the germinated seeds of cucumbers after sowing need warmth and frequent watering. If the seed coat is allowed to dry out or if it is not deep enough into the soil, seedlings from germinated seeds sometimes cannot get rid of the seed coat on their own. We’ll have to help them: sprinkle the seed coat with water from a spray bottle, and when it gets wet, carefully remove it with a toothpick.
The temperature for germination of cucumber seeds is +25…+28°С. Place the seeds in a container or on a saucer on several layers of damp toilet paper, place in a plastic bag and put in a warm place for 1-2 days. It is better not to use cotton wool and gauze for sprouting cucumbers. The cucumber has long, fragile roots that quickly grow into the tissue and are easily damaged during transplantation.
Cucumber seeds germinate well both in the dark and in the light.
How to sow cucumber seeds
Seeds are sown in open ground at the end of May to a depth of 1–2 cm. Or at the end of April – beginning of May (with shelter or in a greenhouse). It is useful to soak them for a day in warm water beforehand.
Planting pattern: in a row – 30 cm, between rows 60 cm.
How to care for cucumbers
Watering. Cucumbers need constant watering. Especially during the period of active fruiting, about once every 3 days. With a lack of moisture, cucumbers begin to taste bitter, grow crooked or pear-shaped.
Feeding. Feed cucumbers 5-6 times during the entire growth period.
- The first is when the second true leaf appears.
- The second – at the beginning of flowering.
- The third, fourth and fifth – during the formation of ovaries and fruiting, with a frequency of once every 2 weeks.
In Polissya, when planting cucumbers, a man took off his pants and ran around the crops so that the cucumbers would grow as strong and large as … well, you yourself understand.
