How to Start Cucumbers From Seeds

Cucumbers are one of the most popular home garden plants,with many

varieties suitable for home growing. Full-size varieties of cucumber require a

considerable amount of space to spread if their vinesare unsupported.Many

gardeners choose to support their cucumbers in cages like tomatoes or plant

high-yielding dwarf varieties to cut down on space. Whichever variety of cucumber

you choose, you will find it easy to plant. Simply sow the seeds in the ground in

early spring once the soil has warmed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need:

1Loosen and turn the soil in the cucumber planting bed to a depth of 6 inches with a hand tiller or shovel. Remove any plants and roots or other debris that you upturn.
2Spread 2 inches of aged compost followed by 2 pounds of 5-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area.
3Mix the amendments evenly into the top 6 inches of the soil with your hand tiller. Rake the soil smooth.
4Plant each cucumber seed 1 inch deep. Plant neighboring seeds 1 foot apart. Space rows 2 to 4 feet, although dwarf and supported cucumber plants require less row space.
5Water the soil with a sprinkler or gentle spray from the hose until the top 3 to 4 inches of soil are quite moist, but without puddles. Check the soil moisture daily and water as needed to keep the soil moist to this depth.

Cucumbers cannot be planted outdoors until temperatures and soil warm to around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You may extend the season, however, by starting your cucumber seeds indoors. Plant two to three seeds in a peat pot filled with seed-starting soil three or four weeks before temperatures warm enough for outdoor planting. Keep the soil moist with regular watering. Once the seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches in height, cut off the two weaker plants at the soil line. When temperatures warm, plant each peat pot in the soil, 1 to 2 feet apart.