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Growing Cucumbers

How to grow cucumbers in containers, growbags, garden beds and allotments

Cucumbers

Family/Latin Name	Cucurbitaceae - Cucumis sativus
Type of Plant	Fruiting - Crop Rotation Group = Others
Suitable for	Garden Beds, Containers, Growbags, Allotments, Greenhouse

See also:- Vegetable Growing Glossary | Container Growing | Buying Seeds & Plants

Plant Dimensions	Height approx 30cm/12" - Spread Several metres/feet
Yield Per Plant	10-25 cucumbers depending on variety
Time between sowing and harvesting	12-14 weeks
Sowing time	Greenhouse Varieties Under Glass - Late February - Temperature +23C/70F Outdoors Varieties Indoors- late April - temperature +19C/66F Outdoors - Late May - June - Temperature +19C/66F
Where to Sow	Indoors in pots of compost Outdoors in containers or open ground Requires very rich, well drained soil/compost
How to Sow	Indoors - 12mm/½" deep on its side -1 per 7.5cm/3" pot Outdoors in containers - 2.5cm/1" deep on its side in large containers at least 30cm/12" wide or 2 per growbag Outdoors in open ground - 3 seeds per station, 5cm/1" deep on their sides at least 45cm/18 inches apart on all sides.
After Germination	Keep well watered but not too wet
Growing on - in Containers	Harden off indoor sown plants then transplant to large containers at least 30cm/12" wide for each plant or 2 per growbag
Growing on - in Greenhouses	Transplant to large containers at least 30cm/12" wide for each plant or 2 per growbag
Growing on - in Open ground	Remove the 2 weakest seedlings at each station to leave 1 strong seedling.
Aftercare	Outdoor Varieties - Pinch out growing tips after 6 or 7 leaves have developed. This will produce side shoots. These can be left to trail on the ground or trained up netting. Keep very well watered but only water around the plants and feed with liquid fertiliser when the fruits begin to form. Greenhouse Varieties - Train the stem up up vertical wires or canes and pinch out the tip once it has reached the roof. Pinch out the tips of any side shoots 2 leaves after a female flower (these have very small cucumbers behind them whereas male flowers are just on stalks). Remove all male flowers as they appear. Keep very well watered but only water around the plants and feed with liquid fertiliser when the fruits begin to form. Keep the atmosphere as humid and ventilated as possible. Spraying down the floor helps.
Harvesting	Cut normal cucumbers at 15-20cm/6-8" and gherkin types at 5-7.5cm/2-3". Continual cropping is essential to encourage new more cucumbers to develop. Cropping continues over many weeks.

Pests and Diseases

Companion Plants

Powdery Mildew
Indications	Yellow patches on leaves with a greyish mould
Treatment	Organic 1. Remove the infected leaves and apply an organic sulphur spray/dust every 7-10 day 2. Spray with a VERY WEAK solution of milk and water (1 part milk, 9 parts water) weekly 3. Increase humidity - the fungus loves hot dry conditions Chemical Spray with Dithane (mancozeb), or a multi-purpose fungicide containing myclobutanil,
Prevention	Organic 1. Avoid damp or humid sites and overcrowding. 2. Practice crop rotation.

Mosaic Virus and Aphids
Indications	Leaves puckered with pale or yellow mottling
Treatment	None - destroy all infected plants
Prevention	Organic 1. This virus is carried by greenfly. Spray young plants with a weak solution of soapy water as soon as you see aphids. 2. Use water through a hosepipe to knock the aphids off the plants 3. Practice crop rotation Chemical Spray with an insecticide containing Dimethoate or Pyrethrum

Slugs
Indications	Young leaves are eaten - sometimes completely missing
Treatment	Organic 1. Sink small pots filled with beer to ground level. Empty daily 2. Sprinkle slugs with table salt Chemical Use slug pellets
Prevention	Avoid very wet sites

Companion Flower Graphic

Beans, Sweetcorn, Pea, Sunflowers, Radish , nasturtium, marigold

If you know aphids are a problem in your area, grow flowers such as nasturtiums, calendula asters, dahlias, and zinnias nearby as they act as a lure.

Create a bio-diverse environment by planting flowers nearby to attract bees, ladybirds and other "friendlies". To learn more about companion planting click here.

In the Kitchen

Storage: Refrigerate for up to 5 days

Preparing: wash in cold water. Cut a thin slice from each end then cut as required. There is no need to peel.

Cooking: Cucumbers are generally eaten raw however they can also be battered or bread crumbed and lightly fried. Gherkin types are excellent pickled.

For more preparation and information about cucumbers plus lots of recipes visit our sister site www.recipes4us.co.uk.

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