Cucumber Seeds

West Coast Seeds, Cucumber Seeds - Additional Information

How to Grow Cucumbers

Planting:
Cucumbers grow best in warm conditions, requiring soil temperatures between 15-30°C (60-85°F) for optimal germination. If you plan to sow the seeds directly, it's best to aim for mid-June or when the soil has adequately warmed up. However, a second sowing may be necessary in case of unexpected cool or wet weather. Alternatively, you can start the seeds indoors in peat or coir pots about 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Ensure that bottom heat is provided to encourage growth and transplant the seedlings outdoors when the third genuine leaf appears to avoid transplant shock.


Seed Starting:
To plant cucumber seeds, dig holes about 2cm (1 inch) deep at each intended plant location and sow 3-4 seeds in each hole. Later, thin out the seedlings to leave only the strongest ones. When planting, space your cucumber plants 23cm (9 inches) apart and keep the rows spaced 90cm (36 inches) apart to allow ample growing room.


Growing:
Cucumbers thrive in soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8. Choose a sunny and well-draining area to grow healthy cucumbers, preferably with raised beds. Enrich the soil with dolomite lime, compost, or aged manure, and add ½-1 cup of complete organic fertilizer under each plant.

Cucumbers require consistent moisture and significant nutrition. Warm the soil early in the season using plastic mulch or row covers, and remove them once flowering begins to allow bee pollination. Regularly remove poorly pollinated fruits.

To support vines and achieve space efficiency, use a trellis. Water the plant base to keep foliage dry and reduce disease risk.


Harvesting:
Plant seeds every 2-3 weeks until three months before the first fall frost to ensure a steady supply.

Regular harvesting encourages continued production; cease picking when fruits mature to prevent the plant from ceasing production.

As the season ends, remove new blossoms about a month before the first frost to focus the plant's energy on ripening existing cucumbers.

Cucumber Diseases & Pests

Aphids, Cutworms and Thrips
Control these pests using floating row covers for early protection and companion planting to encourage natural predators.

Interplanting with Sweet Alyssum, dill, or cilantro and providing shallow water sources can attract and support predatory insects, enhancing pest control within the cucumber garden.

Luring cutworms with small wood or cardboard traps near the plants can make them easier to remove by hand, protecting the cucumbers.


Cucumber Beetle:
This pest can cause significant damage in certain areas. Protect plants with row covers until flowering, and quickly remove affected plants to manage their presence.


Fungal Diseases & Fruit Rot:
High humidity may cause fungal diseases, such as fruit rot, where cucumbers decay on the vine. Mitigate these issues by removing affected fruits and improving air circulation.


Powdery Mildew:
Towards the end of the season, powdery mildew can appear as white spots on leaves. Treat it with natural remedies such as a mixture of baking soda and water or a solution made from milk. Apply the remedy every 7-10 days. Delaying the onset of mildew can also be achieved by selecting resistant plant varieties.


Wilts
Wilts can cause plant collapse and are best managed by maintaining a clean growing environment, avoiding over-watering, planting in well-drained sites, rotating crops, and selecting resistant varieties.