It’s cucumber season!
Well, winter is finally over (phew) and summer will soon be knocking on our door, which only means one thing – it’s planting time!
As a beginner, I didn’t know much about how to plant cucumbers. I only knew that they were healthy and went well with every dish. I mean, the best salads are made with yummy cucumbers, right?
I decided to plant them side by side, and after two months the fruits were extremely weak. I was so devastated, but I certainly wasn’t inclined to give up. I researched and asked everyone I knew about the best way to plant them, but to no avail.
After a long search I finally found the answer, the key lies in how far apart they actually need to be. It turns out, cucumbers are quite antisocial and each of them needs some room to thrive.
Here’s how you’re gonna make that happen!
Give Your Green Friends Some Space
I planted my cucumbers 39 inches apart, and I can tell you that it turned out great. Make sure they have enough space and don’t let them fight. You certainly don’t want drama in your garden, do you?
This is what you need to pay attention to:
- Select the best location in your garden! Cucumbers love the sun, so try to plant them somewhere they will get the most light. Let them bask in the hot summer days! As for watering, here is how much water cucumbers need.
- Place your seeds in fertile soil enriched with fertilizer. You’re probably wondering what to do next. How much space should you leave between them? Well, it actually depends on your preferred planting method.
- Vining cucumbers grow on vines, isn’t that cool? They can reach several feet in height. When planting, space the seeds 36 to 48 inches apart. This method is great because the fruit grows off the ground and it will be easier for you to pick!
For support, you can use a fence or place a thin tree so that they can climb.
- Bush cucumbers, on the other hand, do not require any support. They are independent, unlike the previous ones. Be sure to plant them 12 to 24 inches apart.
This way, you will give them enough space to grow and enable an excellent harvest. You can also grow them in containers.
Here’s What Will Happen If You Plant Cukes Too Close
Now that you know the distance you need to keep, see what happens if you don’t give your cucumbers enough space to shine!
First and foremost, you will have a difficult harvest because you will not be able to carefully inspect and take all the fruits.
After that, the healthy vegetables become a trap for pest attacks! They can be attacked by aphids and caterpillars, which feed on leaves and suck juices from the plants, harming your poor veggies.
This can lead to fruit failure, so the best protection is to inspect them daily. If that’s not enough, you can use insecticides to control the pests and ensure they are gone for good!
Now it’s your turn to plant delicious cucumbers!
Later, you can always preserve them in jars and make delicious pickles! I’ve been doing it for years, and they turn out really great. Plus, when you have guests over, you can proudly share your homemade pickles!
So, get your gardening gear ready and get into action. I’m sure you’ll have baskets full of green veggies by the end of the season!