How to Care for Cucumber Plants

There is nothing quite like a fresh crisp cucumber right from the garden. This delicious veggie is super easy to grow in the home garden. Caring for cucumber plants doesn't require a lot of time and they are prolific producers. Two to four plants will produce enough fresh cucumbers for summer salads for a family of four. Of course, if you wish to make pickles you will want to pant more.

Things You'll Need

• Hoe
• Fertilizer
• Hand tiller (optional)
• Liquid fertilizer
• Sprayer for fertilizer

Instructions

1. Plant cucumber seeds or seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart in prepared soil after all danger of frost.

2. Weed the row on a regular basis. Always pull weeds from the roots and discard. If you do not remove the root, the weeds will simply regrow in the same location.

3. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist to encourage lush growth.

4. Till between the rows with a hand tiller to loosen the soil on a weekly basis. If you do not have access to a hand tiller, then use the hoe to loosen the soil between rows.

Side Dressing with Fertilizer

1. Once your cucumber seedlings are well established and show signs of new growth, it is time to apply a side dressing of fertilizer.

2. Sprinkle fertilizer down both sides of the cucumber row about six inches from the seedlings. Follow the recommended amount of fertilizer on the package.

3. With a long handled hoe, gently mix the fertilizer into the existing soil along both sides of the row. The fertilizer will be released to the roots of the plants whenever it rains or you water your cucumbers.

4. If necessary you can repeat the side dressing at three weeks. If your plants are deep green and are growing well, this may be necessary. If the plants appear weak or pale a second side dressing will give them the nutrients they need. Within a few days, you should see an increase in new growth and leaves will be darker green.

5. Maintain a regular schedule of weeding and watering even when the plants begin to vine and cover the area between rows. You will no longer need to side dress or till the soil between rows.

6. When new fruit begins to set on the plant, it is time to give them a boost of liquid fertilizer. Following the directions on the box, mix liquid fertilizer and spray to cover the entire plant. The cucumber plant will absorb nutrients right through the leaves and it will boost fruit production.

7. Pick cucumbers as soon as they reach 4 to 5 inches in length. Young cucumbers as crisp and bursting with flavor. Serve in your favorite salad or eat them right from the garden.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not allow cucumbers to remain on the vine to fully ripen. Fully ripened fruit sends a signal to the plant to stop production.

• As long as you keep young cucumbers picked everyday, your cucumbers will continue to produce more fruit.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish