January 17, 2025, 10:28 am | Read time: 3 minutes
When you first want to grow your own vegetables, it can be overwhelming. There are many varieties, different planting times, and much more to consider. Added to this are the excitement and anticipation of the delicious vegetables you will later harvest. However, especially at the beginning, this inner joy is dampened if not everything grows as you imagined. Especially with cucumbers, it’s important to pay attention to a few points when pre-growing.
Cucumbers are generally a good vegetable for beginners if you meet the plant’s needs. Mistakes often occur during pre-growing that the plant won’t forgive later. myHOMEBOOK editor Franka Kruse-Gering explains what to consider when pre-growing cucumbers to achieve a bountiful and, above all, healthy harvest.
1. Wait for the Right Time
Patience is a virtue and of utmost importance with cucumbers. If you sow them too early, they are ready to be planted out before the Ice Saints in May are over. If you leave them on the windowsill in their small pots for too long, they cannot grow optimally due to a lack of space and nutrients.
On the other hand, if you sow them too late, they also reach their permanent place too late. This means they don’t have the necessary time to grow large fruits by harvest time.
The optimal time to sow cucumbers is during April. This gives them enough time to develop so they can be placed outdoors after the Ice Saints in May.
Related: When it makes sense to pinch out cucumbers
2. Cucumbers Need Space
Whether as an adult plant or a seedling, cucumber plants need space. Therefore, they should each have their own small growing pot. Pricking out is possible once they reach a certain size, but you might damage the delicate roots, preventing the plant from growing properly.
Also interesting: Is it possible to grow cucumbers in a pot?
3. The Right Climate for Cucumbers
Cucumbers like it warm, so it’s advisable to cover the growing pots with clear plastic wrap. This traps the heat underneath. However, the humidity is also very high. To prevent the soil from molding, you should carefully lift the plastic wrap every two days to allow air exchange.
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4. Sow the Seeds Correctly
Cucumbers are what are known as dark germinators. This means you must ensure that cucumber seeds are buried about half a centimeter below the soil layer when planting.
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5. The Right Moisture in the Growing Pot
It’s advisable to always pay attention to the right moisture when pre-growing cucumbers. The soil should be neither too wet nor too dry. It’s recommended to add a little water with a spray bottle to the growing pot every two days.