July 16, 2025, 10:35 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Garden centers offer a wide range of specialized fertilizers, including those for cucumbers. However, you can also effectively fertilize the vegetable with various home remedies. myHOMEBOOK explains which home remedies are suitable for fertilizing cucumbers.
As heavy feeders, cucumbers require a lot of nutrients. Therefore, it’s wise to prepare the bed before planting or sowing. During the growth phase, gardeners should stay diligent and fertilize about once a week. To harvest many large and flavorful cucumbers, you can also use some home remedies as fertilizer. These can provide valuable nutrients that benefit cucumber plants.
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Fertilizing Cucumber Plants with Home Remedies
Regular and balanced fertilization is essential for cucumber plants to grow vigorously and produce fruit. The main nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are crucial for the plant to develop strong shoots, roots, flowers, and fruits. Additionally, nutrients strengthen the cucumber plant, making it more resistant to diseases.
Secondary nutrients like magnesium and calcium should not be underestimated. Cucumber plants need them for photosynthesis and a stable cell structure. Many home remedies contain the necessary nutrients. Sebastian Mühlemann from the Baumschule Bauer tells myHOMEBOOK that it’s important to fertilize cucumbers in a balanced way. Therefore, the following remedies are suitable as “supplementary fertilizers” to cover all nutrients.
1. Eggshells
Eggshells contain calcium, which can be beneficial for cucumbers. Simply crush the eggshells and work them into the soil. Calcium promotes a stable cell structure and is also good for fruit formation. Plant enthusiasts should use this home remedy sparingly, as the calcium requirement for cucumbers is not very high.
Also interesting: How to Prevent Curved Cucumbers
2. Nettle Manure
Homemade manures are valuable fertilizers for the garden. You can make manure from nettles, which contains valuable nitrogen, potassium, and other trace elements—a true nutrient buffet for cucumbers. myHOMEBOOK explains how to make nettle manure in this article.
To fertilize, dilute the manure with water at a ratio of 1:10. This means mixing one liter of manure with ten liters of water. You can fertilize cucumbers with nettle manure about once a week.
3. Coffee Grounds
Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus—coffee grounds are a strong fertilizer that is also suitable for cucumbers. Simply work the dried coffee grounds into the soil or mix them with compost. It’s important not to overdo it with this fertilizer. It’s better to use coffee grounds sparingly to avoid over-acidifying the soil.
4. Milk
It may sound strange, but milk can also be used as a fertilizer for cucumbers. This home remedy contains phosphorus, vitamin D, and calcium. It can be beneficial to use milk as a supplementary fertilizer. It’s important to dilute it with water at a ratio of 1:10 beforehand. You can pour the milk directly onto the roots every two weeks.
5. Banana Peel
Making fertilizer from waste is particularly useful. This is the case with banana peel. It contains phosphorus, but especially potassium. By soaking the peel in water for about two days, you can create a valuable fertilizer for cucumbers from this home remedy. You can apply the liquid fertilizer to the plants every two weeks.
6. Compost Tea
Many hobby gardeners already know that compost can be a valuable fertilizer. You can also fertilize cucumbers this way. Instead of working the compost into the soil before planting, you can make compost tea.
To do this, soak compost in water. Use one part compost to five parts water. Let the “tea” steep for about two days. You can then use the water as a liquid fertilizer.