When is the right time to grow cucumber seedlings?

Cucumbers can be divided into two categories according to their planting and harvesting seasons: spring cucumbers and autumn cucumbers. Spring cucumbers are usually grown indoors in late winter and can be transplanted as spring arrives, allowing you to enjoy fresh cucumbers in late spring or early summer. In contrast, autumn cucumbers are sown and raised in the hot summer, and mature cucumbers can be harvested in autumn. The two types of cucumbers have different planting times, adapting to the climatic characteristics of different seasons and ensuring the production and supply of cucumbers throughout the year. Let’s learn in detail when is the best time to grow cucumber seedlings?

When is the right time to grow cucumber seedlings?

1. Spring Cucumber

It is advisable to start raising seedlings of spring-sown cucumbers relatively early to extend the growing period and avoid the effects of high temperatures in the later stages. Cucumber cultivation in the solar greenhouse in early spring is generally done from late December to early January of the following year. If an electric hotbed or a brewing hotbed is used for seedling cultivation, the sowing period can be appropriately postponed by 10 to 15 days. In some areas, such as Changsha, hotbed seedling cultivation is generally carried out from late February to early March.

2. Autumn Cucumber

For winter and spring cucumbers, the goal is to supply the market in spring, and the recommended seedling raising time is late September to early October.

It should be noted that the specific seedling raising time should be adjusted according to local climatic conditions, planting methods and equipment. For example, if the seedling raising equipment is limited, seedling division may be necessary. Usually, seedlings are divided only once and transplanted when they reach two leaves and one bud.

During the seedling raising process, attention should also be paid to technical points such as seed soaking and germination methods, sowing density, and seedbed management to ensure that strong seedlings of the right age are cultivated, laying a good foundation for subsequent planting and growth.

How many times can cucumbers be planted in a year?

Cucumbers can be planted 2-3 times a year. This arrangement is mainly because the growth cycle of cucumber is relatively short, taking about 50 days from sowing to harvesting. Here is a rough schedule for cucumber planting throughout the year:

First sowing: Spring, usually in March-April.

Second sowing: summer, usually in June-July.

The third sowing: autumn, usually in September-October.

The above is an introduction to the seedling raising time of cucumbers. When raising seedlings, you can choose the appropriate seedling raising time according to the local environment and cucumber variety.