When is the best time to plant autumn cucumbers?

Planting autumn cucumbers is favored by many growers because it can alleviate the supply of vegetables during the off-season, has a higher market price, and can bring relatively good economic benefits. So when is the best time to plant autumn cucumbers? Let’s learn more about it below.

When is the best time to plant autumn cucumbers?

The best time to plant autumn cucumbers is usually about a month before the beginning of autumn, which is from late summer to early autumn. The specific sowing time should be determined according to local climatic conditions and the growth habits of the cucumber variety. Generally, in northern regions, the sowing time of autumn cucumbers can be selected from early August to mid-August. In the southern region, due to the warm climate, the sowing time can be slightly later, around late August to early September.

What are the key points in field management of autumn cucumbers?

1. Water management

Watering should be controlled from the time the seedlings emerge until the root melons are harvested to promote root development and plant health and reduce diseases. After harvesting the root melon, increase the frequency of watering to keep the soil moist and maintain appropriate soil moisture.

2. Reasonable topdressing

After transplanting, apply 15-20 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per mu. During the vine-growing stage and the flowering and fruiting stage, apply 20-25 kg of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers per mu. Note that topdressing should be done after each harvest. You can spray 0.1-0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate or compound fertilizer liquid.

3. Intertillage and weeding

The temperature is high from July to August and weeds grow fast, so timely tillage and weeding are required, and appropriate soil cultivation is required. After the racks are installed, you can also carry out tillage, weeding, furrowing and soiling according to the growth of weeds.

4. Pruning and trellising

The support should be installed after the vines start to grow. Use bamboo poles or branches more than 2 meters long to build an A-frame and tie the vines in time. When pruning, keep the main vine, pinch off the side vines after they have produced 1-2 fruits, and be sure to remove the old and yellow leaves at the bottom.

5. Pest and disease control

Common diseases and pests include powdery mildew, gray mold, blight, aphids, etc. They should be controlled according to the principle of treating diseases if they are present, killing larvae, and preventing those without diseases. Targeted pesticides such as 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder and 10% mechlorethamine powder should be sprayed in time for prevention and control.

In general, the cultivation of autumn cucumbers is a comprehensive process that requires corresponding adjustments and optimization based on specific cultivation conditions and environmental changes. The first priority is to sow seeds at the right time, which will help increase the yield and quality of autumn cucumbers.