How many times have you attempted to grow cucumbers, only to give up in frustration?
I know I have – probably a million times!
Whenever I face an obstacle and results don’t go as planned, I tend to throw in the towel. But then, next season, I’m back at it, ready to give it another go!
As a gardening geek, it is safe to say that I’ve tried every strategy in the book to perfect my skills. However, there’s one simple yet crucial factor I overlooked – the sun!
I never thought of it as something game-changing in the process but, boy, I was mistaken!
The Answer You’ve Been Waiting For
Your cucumbers will need at least eight hours of full sun!
You may be wondering why the sun is important for these veggies. Well, the amount of light plays a key role in their healthy growth! It will provide your plants with the necessary energy to produce flowers.
Pay Attention To These Signs
You’ll need to keep an eye on your cucumbers daily! That way, you’ll be able to recognize the signs if your cukes aren’t getting enough sunlight. The sooner you find out, the better! You’ll have plenty of time to help your plants before the crops start to fail. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of a lack of sunlight.
- Your veggies’ growth is stunted. You’ll notice that the cukes aren’t progressing and look small, like baby cucumbers! If they haven’t grown after two weeks, move them to a spot where they’ll get enough sunlight.
- Lack of flowers on your cucumbers. Flower production requires a lot of energy. If they aren’t producing flowers after fifty days, it means they’re not getting enough sunlight.
- Yellow spots on your plant’s leaves. Cucumbers need direct sun to maintain a beautiful green color. If you skip this important step, the cucumbers will become pale and yellow!
Watch Out For Too Much Summer Heat
If you live in an area where temperatures are really hot, you’ll need to be careful with your cucumbers. Intense heat can cause the leaves to wilt. It’s not a good idea to rush to the garden and start watering, as this will cause the water to evaporate and not reach the plants.
When you hear on the forecast that a heatwave is coming, go to your cucumbers and water them early in the morning. Then place them in a partially shaded area during the hottest part of the day. You can also use a cloth to cover the veggies and protect them!
Sunlight really does mean a lot to cucumbers’ healthy growth. That’s why you’ll need to place them in a sunny spot if you haven’t already! If you follow these steps, by the end of summer, you’ll have the best harvest ever.
Luckily, I discovered what was causing slow growth in my vegetables in time. Now I have so many cucumbers that I don’t have space in my kitchen for them!
There’s no better taste than freshly homemade cucumbers, right? You’ll have enough to enjoy delicious salads every day!
Until next time!