Welcome all to the Growing Guides @GreenUp. Our guide covers all the information that you will need to grow Cucumbers successfully—including sowing seeds, transplanting Cucumbesr outside, and plant care in an easy, simple way.

Cucumbers are not hard to grow; they are water rich and could be grown easily.

Growing Cucumber for Beginners: From Planting to Harvest

Cucumber

Cucumber is a vegetable and mainly consumed in salads. It belongs to the family of Cucurbits.

• Scientific Name: Cucumis Sativus.
• Indian Names: Kheera (खीरा) , Kakdi (ककड़ी ).

Planting

When to Plant Cucumber

It is a summer crop so make sure it is planted after the winter season has passed.Cucumbers grow well in warm areas. The soil should be well drained so that no water collects there.

You can use normal garden soil.

Site Selection

Select the site which gets good amount of sun. Cucumbers love sun and they grow well in warm areas.
Sow the cucumber seeds in small pots 1 to 2 inch deep or seed starting trays about ¼ inches deep in proper soil mix(Take 20% garden soil and 80% compost). You may use 1 - 2 inch plastic cups if you don't have seed starting trays or small pots.
Keep the soil moist.

Plant Care

Watering

As always, I tell you to water plants deeply so that each root gets sufficient water. Cucumbers require a lot of water.

Fertilizing & Care

Add compost to the soil.

If you wish, you may use bio-stimulant to avoid dropping off of flowers and buds from the plant.

You may use liquid fertiliser if you want. Apply 1 week after blooming every 3 weeks.

You will need trellises if you don't have much open space, as it is a vine and spreads.

Weeding

Weeding is important so that your plants get all the nutrition and improves soil aeration.

Do not carry out deep hoeing as ot may destroy plant roots; just do shallow hoeing.

Pests, Diseases

Do not worry too much if you don't see fruits coming out from flowers. This might be due to the male flowers that you see, female flowers give fruits. Both the flowers could be seen in the vine, So just wait for their pollination. 

Harvesting

Cucumbers grow quickly. Do not let it on the plant for too much time, as this would bitter the taste.

Cucumbers can be harvested when they grow about 6 to 8 inches long and attain uniformly green colour.

Exclusive Tips @Green Up

• Don't over-water as your plant would die with excess water.

• After transplanting the plant, do not keep directly under sun. Keep it first few days under shade (if possible), then a few days later, take them out under the sun.
  

• Spray organic pesticides, so that it does not hinders the plant's growth, such as dilute solution of Neem Oil mixed with shampoo. Learn more about treating Pesticides.

• Learn more about fertilizers and their usage, doses.
  

• Click here to read more plant care tips for free(given by gardeners, and farmers) exclusively on Green Up.
  

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