Which month is best for sowing cucumbers?

Cucumber is popular for its rich nutritional value and crisp taste and is a common vegetable in our daily diet. It prefers warm environments and is sensitive to cold. Cucumbers can be planted in spring or summer to ensure the right temperatures for their growth. Let’s learn together which month is the best for sowing cucumbers?

Which month is best for sowing cucumbers?

The suitable planting time for cucumbers is usually from January to March or from June to August, but the specific sowing time will vary depending on the cucumber variety and geographical location. The timing of sowing also needs to be determined based on local climatic conditions. When planting cucumbers between June and August, it is recommended to sow them about 70 days before the first frost. In order to increase the survival rate of cucumbers, the daytime temperature should be maintained at around 25°C, the nighttime temperature at 16°C, and the soil temperature should be maintained at around 22°C.

How to grow cucumbers?

Plot preparation: When choosing a plot for growing cucumbers, make sure that the plot has not been used to grow melons in the past two years, has a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5, has good drainage and irrigation systems, and has fertile soil. If water-land rotation is practiced, the land should be plowed and furrowed in October, a season of winter crops should be planted, and then cucumbers should be planted in the spring.

Seed treatment and germination: In order to shorten the seedling period of cucumber, the seeds should be germinated before sowing. First, soak the seeds in 55°C warm water for about 10 minutes with continuous stirring, then transfer to 25°C clean water and soak for 8 hours, and finally germinate in an environment of 27-30°C.

Sowing and seedling raising: Cucumber seeds that have been germinated can be sown in seedling cups or seedbeds and will usually germinate after two days. After the seedlings have grown for about half a month, choose a sunny evening to transplant them. Water before planting, and carefully lift the seedlings to protect the root system and retain the soil at the roots. During the seedling stage, water and fertilizer should be properly controlled to prevent the plants from growing too fast. At the same time, we should pay attention to the prevention and control of common diseases such as damping-off disease, damping-off disease, and the invasion of melon borer.

Planting: Apply about 2,000 kg of decomposed farmyard manure per mu on fertile and well-drained land and mix it evenly with the soil. Then, dig planting holes, keeping the hole spacing at 30 cm and the hole diameter slightly larger than the roots of the seedlings. Transplanting should be done on a sunny afternoon. After transplanting, cover the soil and water thoroughly. Applying a dark mulch helps retain soil temperature and moisture while suppressing weed growth.

Fertilizer and water management: When applying base fertilizer, in addition to organic fertilizer , 30 kg of superphosphate should be added. When the seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, start applying top dressing once a week, applying about 10 pounds of urea per mu. When applying top dressing, pay attention to the fertilizer concentration, follow the principle of applying small amounts of fertilizer frequently, and avoid burning the roots. In high temperature seasons, emphasis should be placed on applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and reducing nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive growth and premature aging. During the flowering and fruiting period, more water is needed, water once a day, and irrigate once every 3 to 5 days during droughts; drainage must be done well in the rainy season.

Trellising and pruning: When cucumbers develop tendrils, use bamboo strips to build a trellis to guide the vines. Guide the plants every 3 days to ensure that the vines are evenly distributed. If the variety bears fruit mainly on the main vine, no pruning is required; if it bears fruit on the main side vine or side vines, topping pruning is required.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time of cucumbers. Planting cucumbers actually depends on the selected variety and local climatic conditions.