| Cucumbers are a garden favorite, both for fresh eating and for pickling. What surprises many Americans to learn is that there are quite a few dishes that use the tasty treat. From adult beverages to exotic cuisine, the cucumber deserves a space in your urban garden.Growing up, I always had to pick an extra cucumber or two if any were expected to make it inside. Nothing quite says summer to me like the bright, mild flavor and the juicy crunch fresh from the vine. |
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How to Start Cucumbers from Seed
Unlike many other garden plants, cucumbers are often started from seed by direct sowing after the danger of frost has passed in your zone. If you are using the square foot method, I recommend a row of at least 2 square feet, each with two seeds planted 6” apart along the middle of the row. This will give you 4 plants, but if you have the space, 3 or 4 square feet will be even better. Plant the seeds about 1/2” deep and water well.
Water is especially important to cucumbers. Their roots are quite shallow so keeping the soil well-moistened is crucial to healthy growth.
In addition, I like to side dress my cucumber plants with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer or soil amendment in the first week when the plants begin to climb.
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Last year I sufferd my first major cucumber travesty when disease totally wiped them out. The location is absolutely perfect with sun/shade ratio but i fear the area itself may be infected with fungus ( Blight befell my adjacent tomatoe plot also). Is it safe to replant in the same area & what exactly should I do to prevent another bad cucumber year? Although, the couple years before last were great. Must have given away 500lb of cucumbers to neighbors & friends. IF the area is safe to utilize or suspected “contaminated” would it also be beneficial to go out and do a pre-emptive attack using organic fungicides/treatments on the soil there now to stop the spores while still in the dead of winter? Thank You….Roger W.