When is the best time to plant autumn cucumbers?

Cucumbers can usually be planted in spring, summer and autumn. Now that autumn has arrived, it is the right time to sow autumn cucumbers. As they are out-of-season vegetables , their prices are relatively high and the profits are relatively large. Therefore, many farmers prefer to grow autumn cucumbers. 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 planting time of autumn cucumbers generally starts from early to mid-July and can last until early August, but it is not recommended after mid-to-late August, especially in the northern region. This is because if sowing is too late, the cucumbers may not bear fruit before frost, thus affecting yield and quality.

How to grow autumn cucumber seedlings?

1. Variety selection

Choose varieties that are disease-resistant, heat-resistant, and capable of bearing melons under long-day conditions that are suitable for local climatic conditions, such as Jinchun No. 4 and Jinyan No. 7.

2. Seed treatment

Put the seeds into 55-60℃ warm water and stir continuously for about 10 minutes, then soak them in 28-30℃ water for 4-6 hours to germinate. When germinating, wash the seeds in clean water several times and rub them repeatedly to wash away the sticky substances on the surface of the seeds, which is conducive to seed germination. Then shake them dry, wrap them with cloth, and place them at 27-30℃ for germination.

3. Seedling containers and media

Use a plastic nutrient pot with a diameter of 10 cm and a height of 10 cm, and prepare large farmland soil without repeated crops . Mix it with organic fertilizer , wood ash, etc. and use it as soil for raising seedlings.

4. Sowing and seedling raising

Dig holes in the seedbed and sow seeds, place 2-3 seeds in each hole and cover with a thin layer of soil. The seedbeds are then covered with black shade netting to reduce temperatures and maintain humidity. If the soil is dry before germination, water should be applied in time to facilitate germination.

5. Planting at the right time

When the cucumber seedlings have three true leaves, they can be transplanted. The row spacing is 60 cm and the plant spacing is 30 cm. About 3,500 seedlings per acre are guaranteed. After transplanting, cucumber seedlings should not be allowed to grow slowly, but should be promoted all the way through. After the seedlings return, water them lightly and spray 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate + brassinolide on the leaves to promote seedling growth and vigor.

In general, the planting of autumn cucumbers takes place during a period of high temperature and high rainfall, and the management requirements are higher than those of other crops. The key is to do a good job in sowing and seedling raising, and cultivate high-quality and strong seedlings, so as to lay a solid foundation for high yields in the later stage.