When is the best time to sow cucumber seeds?

Cucumber is widely popular because of its rich nutritional value and contains a variety of vitamins that are beneficial to the human body, and has become a common ingredient on the dining table. The outlook for cucumber cultivation is equally positive. Generally speaking, the best time to grow cucumbers is divided into two stages: January to March in spring and June to August in late summer. The climatic conditions during these two time periods are suitable for the growth of cucumbers, which helps to obtain a good harvest. Let’s learn in detail when is the best time to sow cucumber seeds ?

When is the best time to sow cucumber seeds?

Spring sowing: Spring is a common time for cucumber sowing, usually from January to March. If you sow during this period, cucumbers can be harvested in summer. To ensure that the seeds can germinate at a suitable temperature, they can be germinated before sowing, such as soaking them in warm water and keeping them in a warm environment.

Sowing in late summer and early autumn: In some areas, cucumbers can also be sown in late summer and early autumn, usually in June-August. Cucumbers sown during this period can be harvested in autumn. Before sowing, it is also recommended to properly treat the seeds to improve germination rate.

Greenhouse or shed cultivation: If grown in a greenhouse or shed, the sowing time of cucumbers can be more flexible because these facilities can provide suitable temperature and humidity conditions to ensure good growth of cucumbers.

Before sowing, it is recommended to disinfect and germinate cucumber seeds to increase germination rate and growth rate. When sowing, you should choose well-drained, loose and breathable soil, and keep the soil moist after sowing. In addition, cucumbers are vines, so they need a proper support structure, such as a trellis or ropes, to help the plants grow.

Cucumber Growing Conditions

Temperature: Cucumbers prefer warm climates and are not cold-tolerant. The suitable temperature range for its growth is 10-32℃, and the most suitable temperature is 25-32℃ during the day and 15-18℃ at night. The best growth rate is when the ground temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, and the minimum ground temperature should be kept at around 15 degrees Celsius. Cucumbers grow well under conditions where the temperature difference between day and night is 10 to 15°C, but photosynthesis will be affected when the temperature is as high as 35°C, high temperature disorders may occur above 45°C, and they may freeze to death at low temperatures of -2 to 0°C.

Light: Cucumbers are not very demanding on the length of daylight and have become day-neutral plants. Its light saturation point is 55,000 lux and its light compensation point is 1500 lux. Most varieties grow well under short-day conditions of 8 to 11 hours.

Water: Cucumbers require a lot of water, and the suitable soil moisture is 60-90%. The soil moisture should be controlled at 60-70% during the seedling stage, while sufficient water is needed during the fruiting period and the soil moisture should be maintained at 80-90%. The relative humidity of the air should also be controlled between 60 and 90%. Excessive humidity can easily lead to diseases.

Soil: Cucumbers are suitable for growing in fertile, loose, well-drained soil, with a pH value preferably between 6.0 and 7.0. Soil rich in organic matter is more conducive to the growth of cucumbers.

The above is an introduction to the planting time of cucumber seeds. The sowing time of cucumbers mainly depends on local climatic conditions and planting purposes.