What is the best month to plant cucumbers?

Cucumber is a common vegetable . It is easy to grow, easy to operate and has low cost. It can be seen being grown in almost all parts of China, north and south. So what month is the best time to plant cucumbers ? Let’s learn more about it below.

What is the best month to plant cucumbers?

The best time to plant cucumbers is generally divided into two seasons, specifically from January to March in spring, or from June to September in summer.

What are the key points in cucumber planting?

1. Land preparation and ridge making

For planting cucumbers, it is best to choose slightly acidic to neutral sandy loam that is loose and fertile, rich in organic matter, and has strong water and fertilizer retention capacity. The optimal pH value is 5.7-7.2. Land preparation is carried out according to the requirements of 1.2 meters per furrow, 0.3 meters wide and 0.2 meters deep. The bottom of the furrow should be flat and smooth, and there should be no water accumulation in the furrow after the rain.

2. Seed selection and germination

Choose high-quality seeds and appropriate varieties. Then use 55℃ hot water to disinfect the seeds for 10-15 minutes. When the water temperature drops to 25℃, soak the seeds for 4-5 hours. Rub them repeatedly and then wash them with clean water. After taking them out, drain the water, wrap them with wet gauze, and germinate them at 25-28℃. Wash them with clean water twice a day. They will sprout in 1-2 days and can be sown when the sprouts are 0.5 cm long.

3. Key points for sowing

Evenly spread the germinated seeds into the bed, cover them with nutrient soil with a thickness of 1.5 cm to 2 cm, then cover with ground film and a small shed to keep warm and moist. After the seedlings emerge from the soil, we must prevent them from growing too tall and control the humidity. As the temperature drops, we must increase covering and insulation to prevent the seedlings from freezing.

4. Transplant at the right time

Seedlings can be transplanted when the ground temperature is stable at above 15℃. Before transplanting the seedlings, they should be hardened at low temperature for about 10 days. Transplanting should be done in the morning on a sunny day or after 4 pm. It is best to transplant with soil. The seedlings should be graded and classified to ensure uniformity of the seedlings in the field.

5. Field management

After the leaves unfold during the seedling stage, if any seedlings are missing, they should be transplanted and replaced in time. At the same time, pay attention to transplanting the seedlings in time. Generally, transplanting the seedlings when they have 3-4 true leaves, and transplanting about 4,500 seedlings per acre. In addition, there is a lot of rainfall during the cucumber seedling stage, so the soil must be tilled after each rain. After entering the fruit-bearing period, the water requirement for cucumber growth increases. Generally, it needs to be watered once every 3-4 days. Fertilizer should be applied every other watering. Each time, 10-20 kg of ammonium sulfate or 5-10 kg of urea should be applied per mu. 4-5 topdressings are sufficient.

Generally speaking, the best time to plant cucumbers is spring and summer. Now that the temperature has risen in April, it is also a suitable period for planting cucumbers. But attention should be paid to the relevant planting techniques and subsequent field management, which is the key to ensuring high quality and high yield of cucumbers.