How to grow Cucumbers
Cucumis sativus
Vining and fast — great for pickles.
Cucumbers are tender and thirsty — sow after frost in warm soil, anywhere you grow. A trellis saves space and keeps fruit clean, and steady water is the secret to sweet, non-bitter cukes in any climate.
Grow Cucumbers with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Cucumbers at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 12 in |
| Harvest | 50–70 days |
| Plant | After last frost |
| Note | Keep watered |
How to grow Cucumbers, step by step
Sow when warm
- Direct-sow after frost in warm soil, or set out transplants.
- Pick a slicer for eating or a pickling type for jars.
Trellis & water
- Train vines up a trellis to save space and keep fruit clean.
- Water deeply and consistently — dryness makes them bitter.
Pick young
- Harvest while firm and medium-sized; check daily at peak.
- Frequent picking keeps the vine setting more fruit.
Cucumbers problems & fixes
Cucumbers — Bitter fruit: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Heat and uneven water. Mulch, water steadily, and harvest young.
Cucumbers — Vines wilt suddenly: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Cucumber beetles spread bacterial wilt. Cover young plants and control the beetles early.
Cucumbers — Misshapen cucumbers: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Poor pollination. Encourage bees, or hand-pollinate the flowers.
Recommended cucumbers varieties
- Marketmore 76 — Best all-rounder. Reliable, disease-resistant slicer for fresh eating.
- Boston Pickling — For pickles. The classic crunchy pickling cucumber — pick them small.
- Bush Champion — Container. Compact vines for pots and small beds.
Cucumbers month-by-month
| January | Off-season. |
|---|---|
| February | Plan a trellis spot. |
| March | Order seed. |
| April | Wait for warm soil. |
| May | Sow after frost. |
| June | Vines run and flower. |
| July | First cukes — pick often. |
| August | Peak — make pickles! |
| September | Sow a quick late crop in long seasons. |
| October | Last harvests before frost. |
| November | Pull spent vines. |
| December | Off-season. |