Home grown cucumbers are one of the most rewarding aspects of summer gardening. They are easy to grow and provide that sweet flavour and cooling crunch to our summer meals.
Planting Calendar
Cucumbers can be planted from September to January.
Prepare
Position
Cucumbers are best planted in a sunny position with warm temperatures. Plants must be well spaced to allow airflow among its leaves and tendrils which helps control powdery mildew.
Soil
When planted into the ground, cucumbers like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
Pollination
Cucumber plants are monoecious, that is they have separate male and female flowers. Male flowers appear first followed by the female flowers which turn into cucumbers (the flowers with a fatter stem). Pollen is transferred from male to female flowers by bees and other insects. Encourage bees to your garden with extra bee-friendly plants, like lavender and borage, to get better pollination. Cucumber varieties can cross pollinate with each other
Plant
Get growing by planting your cucumber seedlings directly into the garden or in a large pot (40L or larger). It is best to plant your seedlings in the morning, or in the evening, as they can wither if they are planted in the heat of the day. When planting into the ground: gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Kings Natures Organic Fertiliser, then mix together. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. When planting into containers: plant into Kings Containers mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist.
Care
Watering
Water your cucumber plants each morning and avoid getting the foliage wet. Watering should be done regularly to ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. Consider setting up an automatic watering system – these can be simple and inexpensive.
Feeding
When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of harvest, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Side dress every 8 weeks with Kings Natures Organic Fertiliser. If planted into a container, feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.
Protecting
Protect young seedlings from Slugs and Snails with applications of Tui Quash, re-apply after rain.
Mulching
Like you would with strawberries, mulch around each cucumber plant with pea and lucerne straw. This will help retain moisture in the soil for longer around the plants and help suppress weeds.
Spraying
Preventative spraying is key to protect against Powdery Mildew and is highly recommended. Spray with Kiwicare Organic Super Sulphur at 14 days intervals throughout the growing season. Whitefly can be controlled by regular applications of Organic Bugtrol.
Pruning
Pruning is not required for cucumbers, although heavily infected leaves with mildew can be removed.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Expert Tip
Poor fruit set can be due to either the lack of pollinators like bees or because the temperature has been too cold. You can assist with pollination by removing the male flower (which is the small flower that does not have a small fruit at its base.). Carefully and gently touch the centre of the female flower with the centre of the male flower.
Tip
As cucumbers grow on a vigorous vine they are able to grow on a trellis or frame, making growing them possible for those of us who only have a little area for a pot or small garden. Lifting the cucumbers gives them the best chance of growing evenly and healthily. This will also make them nice and easy to harvest come late summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to plant cucumbers?
The best time to plant cucumbers is in late spring to early summer, once the soil has warmed up and there is no longer any risk of frost.
How often should I water cucumbers?
Water your cucumber plants each morning and avoid getting the foliage wet. Watering should be done regularly to ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. Consider setting up an automatic watering system – these can be simple and inexpensive.
Do cucumbers need a lot of fertiliser?
When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of harvest, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Side dress every 8 weeks with Kings Natures Organic Fertiliser.
How do I know when cucumbers are ready to harvest?
Cucumbers mature quickly in about 60-80 Days. When fruits have reached an appropriate size, cut them off with a pair of sharp and clean secateurs. Cucumber vines and stems are fragile, so pulling or tugging the fruits can harm and break the plant.
How can I improve pollination for my cucumber plants?
To improve pollination, encourage bees and other pollinators in your garden by planting flowers nearby. Hand pollination can also be done by transferring pollen from male to female flowers using a small brush.
