The most common vegetable crop grown in personal plots, in addition to potatoes, can rightfully be considered a cucumber. Perhaps there is not a single person who would not like this vegetable in one form or another. This article reflects the main stages of growing cucumbers by seed.

When to plant cucumbers with seeds in open ground

This question is asked not only by novice farmers, but also gardeners with experience, since new varieties of seeds and hybrids are constantly appearing on the market that require certain knowledge and skills in cultivating a vegetable crop. Let us dwell on two main points.

Depending on region and climate

Cucumber is a heat-loving vegetable crop, therefore, depending on the climatic characteristics of a particular region, the timing of planting seeds in open ground will differ. In addition, the weather conditions of the previous “sowing” season can vary significantly from each other. In regions with a temperate climate closer to warmer, cucumbers are planted in ridges in May — from the beginning to the middle of the month. In areas with colder climates - from mid-May to the 10th of June.

Important! The main criterion for planting cucumber seeds in open ground is a stable air temperature of + 15 ° C.

Planting cucumber seeds at a later date is not recommended, since the plant does not tolerate high temperatures, especially in the early stages of plant formation.

Depending on grade

At present, new varieties and hybrids of cucumbers are appearing with enviable regularity, in which, through the efforts of breeders, properties and qualities have been laid that allow, subject to the rules of agricultural technology, to grow vegetables in various climatic regions, with a large temperature spread. In addition, modern hybrids are resistant to diseases and pests. It is worth choosing them precisely in order to minimize their labor costs in the future. Therefore, when choosing seeds, it is worthwhile to carefully study the information about the variety and choose the "correct".

How to plant cucumber seeds in open ground

Consider the main stages of planting in the beds.

Seed selection and preparation

What seeds of cucumbers are better to choose as a seed? This lays the foundation for a good harvest in the future.

If you have to use the seeds received during the previous agricultural seasons on your own plot, it is not recommended to use fresh seeds, optimally - with a shelf life of two to six years.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. The first step should be grain calibration. To do this, dissolve 1.5 tbsp in a liter of warm (but not hot!) Water. l table salt and immerse seeds in it. After a quarter of an hour, the seeds that have surfaced on the surface are discarded, and the full seeds are washed with water and dried.
2. Next stage - disinfection from potential pathogenic bacteria located on the surface of the grains. To do this, they are placed for half an hour in a dark pink, saturated solution of potassium permanganate. It is recommended to use (according to the instructions) ready-made preparations, such as: “Bixis”, “Fitosporin”.
3. Widespread opinion of the benefits soaking cucumber seeds before boarding. But it should be borne in mind that in this case, the protective layer applied by the manufacturer to protect against infections and pests dissolves in water. In addition, a slight decrease in soil temperature or insufficient moisture is safe for dry seeds, and previously soaked ones can die. Only if stable, warm weather is established, germinated grains are sown. They are soaked for about two days (the shell of the seed should burst). To do this, put gauze or a cotton napkin folded in several layers, abundantly moistened with warm water, at the bottom of the tray (bowl), and seeds are laid out on its surface with a thin layer. Make sure that their surface does not dry out.
4. If the soil in which to plant cucumbers is poor in composition, then they recommend withstand seed in nutrient solutions (the exposure time and concentration of the solution are indicated in the instructions for use), such as: Zircon, Epin, potassium humate, sodium humate.
5. Seed hardening. There is an opinion that the hardening process allows you to increase the yield of cucumbers by 40%. For this, the grains are wrapped in a damp cloth, placed on a plate and left for two days in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 0 ° C. The seeds on the cloth should remain moist. After the set time, they are immediately sown in the ground.

Did you know? Vitamin K is a rare vitamin that affects bone strength and stimulates bone formation. One of its sources is cucumber.

Ground preparation on site

When forming a cucumber ridge, it should be borne in mind that the plant is photophilous and needs fertile, well-fertilized soil. If possible, the beds are arranged in a direction from north to south, in the autumn they carefully dig and bring rotted manure at the rate of about 5 kg / m². In the spring, before planting seeds, ridges are shed with infusion of mullein (1: 5) or chicken droppings (1:20), and complex mineral fertilizer is introduced.

An excellent option for the borage are "warm" ridges 25 cm high. An organic layer of compost, rotted grass, leaves, food waste (except meat, fish) perfectly nourishes the plants, provides a stable high temperature to a weak root system.

Seeding Technique

In a ridge prepared for growing a cucumber culture, holes are dug. An acceptable seed planting depth is considered to be 2 cm, the interval between the pits is 50-60 cm. If the ground is not wet enough, then a little warm water is poured into each pit, after which cucumber seeds are placed there. Seeds in the amount of 3-5 pcs. each well is positioned flat or with a pointed tip up. If in the future it is planned to install trellis, or other supports for plants, the inter-hole distance is reduced to 25 cm. Sprinkle pits on top of the pit with a 3-centimeter layer of soil, lightly compact it.

When determining the norms for planting seeds of cucumbers, they are guided by the sown area, row spacing, varietal characteristics. About 35 thousand units can be considered the average value of the number of plants per 1 hectare. For hybrid varieties - 50 thousand pcs.

Experienced gardeners recommend to sprinkle the surface of the ridge with ground red and black peppers to protect young seedlings from ants, mice, slugs.

Shelter film after planting

Despite the fact that landing is carried out, as mentioned above, at stably high air temperatures, a plastic film or a double layer of non-woven material - spunbond - is laid over the ridge. This will provide additional protection in the event of an unexpected decrease in seasonal temperatures, due to the greenhouse effect, plant germination will accelerate, the soil will be stably moist for a long period of time.

Important! When calculating the area of ​​the covering material, it is necessary to take into account that in the process of plant formation, the film or spanbond will have to be lifted above the ridge, fixed with wire arches so as not to damage the cucumber lashes.

Features of the care of cucumbers after planting in open ground

When shoots appear, the protective material is transformed into a mini-greenhouse with supporting arches. If you do not cover the cucumbers, the leaves quickly coarse, dry. The ovaries are poorly formed, the yield decreases sharply.

Care consists of regular watering, weeding, top dressing, mulching, and pinching:

1. Plants are watered under the root, with water of “summer” temperature (the use of well, spring water is excluded) as the soil dries up, as a rule, daily, preferably in the evening, so that the risk of damage to the leaf plate from sunburn is minimized.
2. Weeding the borage is necessary with extreme caution so as not to damage the superficial root system, so experienced summer residents are advised to mulch ridges with cucumbers immediately after emergence.
3. Peat, dry leaves, rotted compost, green manure, wood chips, laying in an even layer (about 3 cm high) are used as mulch. As they settle, mulch is poured. It is also followed that the layer is loose, otherwise the water after irrigation will stagnate, provoking fungal diseases of plants.
4. Fertilize plants is recommended three times during the entire life cycle of the plant. The first feeding is carried out 14 days after planting in open ground, the second - at the beginning of active flowering, the third - during the period of mass fruiting. Gardeners who grow a small number of cucumbers fertilize one more time (fourth), which allows you to extend the life cycle of the plant and collect the maximum number of fruits.
5. In each dressing, both organic and mineral fertilizers should be used, the composition of which depends on the condition and composition of the soil. It will be correct to use complex mineral fertilizers specially dosed for this vegetable crop. As an organic fertilizer, it is preferable to use a solution of cow (1:10) or bird (1:20) litter, a suspension of water and ash. Can the fertilizer process be excluded? There is an opinion that with proper, competent soil preparation in the autumn and spring, cucumbers do not need to be fed.
6. In order for the plants to bear fruit abundantly, it is necessary to cut out (do not break out!) Sprouted shoots and pinch the top of the main lash. Plants will not build up excess green mass, thereby the fruits will receive sufficient nutrition.

Did you know? The regular use of freshly squeezed cucumber juice as a face lotion helps to remove age spots and excess tanning.

Useful tips gardeners

Despite the fact that every novice gardener tries to strictly comply with the recommendations of agricultural specialists, the advice of experienced gardeners will also help in growing vegetables:

1. Carefully approach the choice of seeds (varietal, hybrid), based on the method and place of growing cucumbers.
2. The correct location of the ridges. For the borage, sunlight and heat are very important, you should make sure that there are no drafts.
3. If for some reason the seed germination is small or the plants die, it is allowed to "annoy" the cucumbers (seedlings) until July, in the prepared holes.
4. If a variety of cucumbers involves pollination, it is necessary to plant honey plants (clover, fragrant tobacco, etc.) next to the cucumber ridges to attract bees.
5. Potatoes planted next to cucumbers significantly reduce the yield of the latter.

Cucumber is a very healthy and beloved fruit. If certain agrarian skills are observed, you can easily grow this healthy and tasty vegetable that will delight you not only with a bright fresh taste in the summer, but also diversify your diet with a huge number of excellent preparations in the winter.