When should you plant cucumber seeds for a bountiful harvest?
Crunchy and thirst-quenching, cucumber is one of the flagship vegetables that we happily include in our salads all year round, especially in summer. Composed of 96% water, generally eaten raw, it is an essential slimming ally with fantastic virtues. Thanks to its cocktail of vitamins and minerals, a cucumber smoothie promotes good intestinal transit, detoxifies the body, and also has anti-stress benefits. Rich in fiber and low in calories, it is vitalizing, draining, and hydrating. Moreover, in addition to its unique flavor, cucumber is also renowned for its benefits in the world of beauty. Indeed, it has astringent, healing, and hydrating properties. It purifies the skin, restores its luminosity, and effectively combats redness, itching, dark circles, and even prevents wrinkles! In short, you get the idea: this vegetable has it all.
Native to Western Asia and belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, the cucumber is now cultivated all over the world. This plant with long, creeping stems reveals palmate leaves and small yellow flowers. Although there are several varieties, the cucumber is often known for its green skin and cylindrical shape. Considered a fruit in botany, it is not that difficult to grow at home. Moreover, if you know how to sow cucumbers vertically, they will take up very little space and will find an ideal spot in your vegetable garden. Be careful: the warmer the climate, the more optimal its production will be. If you plant the seeds at the wrong time, you risk not having a successful planting and a poor-quality harvest.
Learn when and how to plant seeds for a successful harvest and enjoy all the benefits of cucumber at home!
Also read: Which vegetables should not be planted next to tomatoes?
When to plant cucumber seeds indoors?
When deciding when to plant cucumber seeds, it is important to consider whether they will be planted indoors or outdoors.
For the best chance of germination, you should plant the seeds indoors, near a sunny window or in a greenhouse. In fact, “ germination is much more efficient in a protected environment ,” says growing expert Lucy Chamberlain. Be aware, however, that these seeds can take a few weeks to germinate, so it’s best to germinate them a little earlier than other crops—usually around March or April, sometimes even earlier. “ Because cucumbers need a lot of time in the sun to mature, sow seeds in early spring to ensure good-sized plants, at least 4 inches tall,” says Aaron Bertelsen, author of Grow.Fruit and Vegetables in Pots.
To minimize the risk of seed rot, it is recommended to place them on the outer edge of the pot and lay them on their side. They should be planted about half an inch deep. Keep the soil moist, but not too moist. Before planting cucumber seedlings, it is best to harden them off for a few days in a sheltered spot so they can adjust to the change in temperature. ” Cucumbers will need daily watering once the fruit begins to develop; they are 96% water, and a dose of liquid food every ten days or so,” Bertelsen explains .
NB: Make sure you know how to prune cucumber plants to maximize fruit production as they grow.
cucumber plant
When to plant cucumber seeds outdoors?
If you want to plant cucumber seeds directly outdoors, they must be planted later, unlike those grown indoors. Sow them between late spring and early summer (May or June), depending on your local climate. Place them in a sunny spot, sheltered from strong winds, and plant them in single rows about 35 inches apart.
If you’re planning to plant plants on trellises, it’s best to install them now. There are many wonderful vegetable garden trellis ideas to explore. You can also let cucumber plants spread out over the ground as they grow. Feel free to explore all your cucumber planting options to keep pests away.
When is the best time to plant cucumber seeds?
plant cucumber seeds
Spring remains the best time to plant cucumber seeds. However, there is some flexibility within this period, and you can try successive plantings to ensure a steady supply in summer. Repot them if necessary before planting in May. If you sow in April, you can expect a good harvest from August onward. But you can also try sowing the seeds a few weeks earlier if you want a long and abundant harvest.
Is it too late to plant cucumbers?
cucumbers
Depending on the local climate, the deadline for planting cucumber seeds and harvesting the fruit is usually between June and July. If planted in warm weather, the plants establish much faster than in spring. August will likely be too late to plant your seeds, but you can still find young plants at nurseries that you can grow at home.
Also read: How to plant and care for jade? The step-by-step guide
How long does it take to grow cucumbers from seeds?
Cucumber seeds take up to two weeks to germinate and about 12 weeks to produce fruit.
It is best to harvest them young, fresh and tender to fully enjoy their benefits and flavor.
Also read: Practical guide to planting lemon seeds in pots