When is the right time to plant cucumbers?

Many friends in rural areas of the north and south grow cucumbers . Cucumber is a vegetable crop that likes warmth and is not cold-resistant. Its sowing time mainly depends on the local climatic conditions and the required harvest time. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant cucumbers?

When is the right time to plant cucumbers?

1. Spring sowing - January to March

Spring is one of the ideal times for sowing cucumbers, especially when the local temperature is stable at 5-10℃. Spring sowing is beneficial to the emergence of cucumbers and their later flowering and fruiting. Cucumbers sown in spring can avoid competition with weeds due to the suitable climate, as the temperature at this time is not suitable for weed growth. In addition, cucumbers sown in spring can be harvested in summer to meet market and personal needs.

2. Summer and autumn sowing - June to August

Another good time to sow cucumbers is summer and autumn. The high temperature and sufficient sunlight during this period are conducive to the growth and fruiting of cucumbers. Cucumbers sown in summer and autumn can be harvested in autumn, providing fresh vegetables for the market. It should be noted that drought and waterlogging may be encountered during sowing in summer and autumn, so special attention should be paid to soil moisture and drainage during sowing and management.

Cucumber high yield planting tips

1. Land preparation and bed making

To reduce the occurrence of cucumber diseases, it is recommended to choose land that has not been planted with melon crops in the past three years for planting. Land that was previously used for onion and garlic crops is particularly suitable for growing cucumbers, while land that was previously used to grow cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce , wheat and other crops can also be used to grow cucumbers. Apply 3,000 to 4,000 kg of mature farmyard manure and 50 kg of superphosphate as base fertilizer per acre of land. After plowing, the land is arranged into beds 1.3 to 1.4 meters wide and 15 to 17 centimeters high, with two rows of small high ridges set up in each bed to facilitate irrigation and drainage.

2. Planting

Dig planting holes on the ridges with a plant spacing of 20 to 22 cm and a hole depth of 2 to 3 cm, and sow 2 cucumber seeds in each hole. Cover the soil after sowing, and control the sowing amount per mu to about 250 grams. If the soil is relatively dry, you can water the sowing furrow in an appropriate amount to keep the soil moist.

3. Field management

During the cucumber seedling stage, the missing seedlings should be checked and replanted in time after the leaves unfold. The weather in July is changeable, so usually the seedlings are thinned out when the plants have 3 to 4 true leaves, and about 4,500 plants are retained per acre. If there is a lot of rainfall during the seedling stage, inter-cultivation should be carried out after each rain to facilitate soil ventilation and prevent diseases. After entering the fruit-bearing period, the cucumber's demand for water increases. It should be watered every 3 to 4 days, and fertilized every other watering. Apply 10 to 20 kg of ammonium sulfate, 5 to 10 kg of urea or 750 kg of human manure each time, and apply fertilizer 4 to 5 times throughout the growing season.

4. Harvest

Autumn cucumbers grow rapidly in the hot and rainy season and can usually be harvested 40 to 45 days after sowing. When the cucumber tip turns from pointed to round, it is ripe and can be harvested. The entire harvesting period lasts about two months, and fertilizer should be applied after each harvest to promote subsequent growth. In the late stage of fruit setting, deformed fruits growing on aging plants should be removed in time. To ensure the quality of cucumbers, it is best to harvest them in the morning when they are most tender and crisp.

In general, cucumber planting should not only consider the sowing time, but also combine the local climate characteristics, soil type and crop management techniques to ensure high yield and high quality of cucumbers.