Cucumber Planting: Manager for a generous harvest

Cucumbers are heat -loving vegetables, making proper planting and time one of the most important factors that determine abundant and early harvest.

You should not rush with sowing or seedling planting, as even the slightest frost can kill young plants. In Lithuania, the optimum time for planting cucumber depends on the method of growing – in the greenhouse or in the open ground – and the weather.

Planting in a greenhouse:

In the greenhouse, cucumbers can be started to be planted earlier than in open ground, as it creates more favorable and stable conditions.

• Seedlings planting: Cucumber sprouts in a unheated greenhouse are recommended to be planted in the second half of Maywhen the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches at least 16°Cand the air temperature stablely holds above 18°C And there is no cold danger. Some gardeners are focused on the end of May; Planting in heated greenhouses can be used earlier – In late April or early May; Seedlings should have 2-3 real leaves and be tvtirts bei bonfire; Before planting sprouts are advisable hardening carrying a few days outside.
• Seed sowing: Directly into the greenhouse soil cucumber seeds can be sown approximately in early Maywhen the soil is already warm enough.

Planting in open ground:

Open ground cucumbers can only be planted when all spring frost passes and the soil warms up to +12–+15°Cand the night air temperature does not fall below +10°C.

• Seedlings planting: Cucumber sprouts are usually planted in open ground in Lithuania in late May or early June. ориентировочно after May 20. Seedlings should have 3-4 true leaves and be hardened.
• Seed sowing: It is recommended to sow cucumber seeds directly into the open ground in late May or early June, when the soil is warm enough. Old gardeners say that the best time to sow cucumbers outdoors is when the oils are ending or when chestnuts begin to bloom.

It is important to remember:

• The weather conditions are the most important indicator. Even if the calendar is a good time, but the weather is cold and predictable frost, planting should be delayed.
• The soil temperature is critical for seed germination. Cucumber seeds begin to germinate when the soil temperature is not lower than +10-12°C; The optimum temperature is +20–25 °C.
• The sprouts should be planted with cautiontrying not to damage the root system.
• Before planting, the soil needs to be properly prepared: It should be fluffy, fertile and well drained.

• In the greenhouse (sprouts): The second half of May (in heated – end of April/beginning of May).
• In the greenhouse (seeds): the beginning of May.
• In the open ground (sprouts): The end of May is the beginning of June (after May 20).
• In the open ground (seeds): The end of May is the beginning of June (as the oils end in bloom).

Observe the weather forecasts, take into account the climate features of your region and plant the cucumbers at the right time so you can enjoy the rich and delicious harvest all summer!

Photos associative © canva

Source: https://www.bc.ua/