Growing Cucumbers

Cucumbers need light, well drained, fertile soil.

Home gardeners should first consider how much space they can devote to growing cucumbers before planting this crop. The regular cucumber varieties require about 15 square feet per plant when grown in the garden. To save space it is possible to grow cucumbers on a trellis or wire fence.

Cucumbers are grown for eating fresh from the garden and for making pickles and cucumber relish. It is essential to know the types of cucumbers available before you plant.

Some varieties to consider…

Slicer cucumbers are more adapted for fresh use. The term "pickle" is used to describe those varieties that do not get as large as the slicers. The term "gherkin" is sometimes used to describe the small pickle type, but a true "gherkin" is a distinct and different type of fruit that has more pronounced spines and more seeds per fruit. Cucumbers referred to as "burpless" types are types that have a thin skin, are mild in flavor, and contain less oxalic acid.

Cucumber varieties recommended for Georgia include Ashley, Marketer and Poinsett for slicing varieties, Chipper and Explorer for pickling varieties. The so called burpless type includes the varieties: Sweet Slice and Burpless Improved.

Favorable conditions…

Cucumbers thrive on light, well drained, fertile soil and need a pH above 6.0. They are frost tender and should not be planted until the soil has warmed up to 65° degrees or above. Apply 6 to 10 pounds of fertilizer for each 100 foot of row, using care not to bring fertilizer into contact with the seed. For trailing cucumbers on the ground, plant 3 to 4 seeds in hills, spacing the hills 3 to 4 feet apart in the row and space rows 5 feet apart.

If you plant to trellis cucumbers, space the hills 2 feet apart in the row and thin to one plant per hill. Tie a string loosely around the base of the cucumber plant and the other end of the overhead support. The plant is then trained around the string. As the plant grows it will be necessary to keep the side shoots pruned back. Branches will develop at each node on the main stem. These can be removed at the main stem or the side shoot can be pinched off at the first node on the shoot.

Once planted…

Most cucumber varieties will start to bloom in about 60 to 65 days after they germinate. The cucumber produces both male and female blooms on the same plant. Only the female bloom produces fruit. Insects are necessary for cross pollination and the garden should be managed to encourage bee populations. If it is necessary to apply insecticides it is best to apply these as late in the afternoon as possible.

Cucumbers mature rapidly and once in production it will be necessary to harvest every other day. Use care not to step on vines during harvest. Never pick or work in cucumbers when vines are wet. To keep plants productive do not allow any mature fruit to stay on the vine.

Normally, a good yield of cucumbers will be about 1 pound of cucumbers for each foot of row or for 100 feet of row you should harvest 100 pounds of fruit.

For more information on growing cucumbers contact your local County Extension Office.