Growing Fresh Juicy Cucumbers in Your Home Vegetable Garden
by John Yazo
The cucumber, a summer time juicy snack fresh from the garden. There is no better way to enjoy these fresh treats than growing them fresh in your own yard. They are a frost sensitive, tropical native. They like warm, humid temperatures and at least 8 hours of sun each day. Due to them only taking 55 to 60 days from the time you plant them to the time they can be picked makes them a crop that can grow in most areas of the country with the proper care.
There are many types of cucumber, shapes and sizes to choose from and even seedless ones. They are a high yielding crop when planted in a fertile clay soil that has been amended with a good amount of organic matter worked into it, but will do just fine in any garden that has a good soil structure. They don't do well in areas that have standing water.
The best time to plant cucumbers is 3 to 4 weeks after the last frost in your area. This give time for the soil to warm and also the day time temperatures to rise. They can also be started from seed sown directly in the garden or as transplants.
If you are starting the seeds for transplants you will need to keep them at an indoor temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees at night. It is best to plant them in peat pots to avoid root damage when transplanting them in the garden. Start your transplants at about 2 weeks before the last expected frost by placing 2 or 3 seeds per pot and keep the soil moist at all times. When they germinate allow them to grow until there are 2 or 3 true leaves formed. At this time you will want to pinch off all but the one best plant in each pot. This will allow the best one to grow to a healthy transplant. Then harden off the plants before transplanting outdoors.
When the cucumbers start to mature you will want to pick them frequently and before they completely mature. Small ones can be eaten or used for pickling.
If you would like to comment on this website or have any suggestions please feel free to contact us
