Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a warm-season vegetable that grows best at temperatures between 75 and 85 °F. Plant seed or transplants after the fear of frost has passed, and the soil temperature has reached 70 °F. Seeds will not germinate at soil temperatures below 50 °F.
When can I put my cucumber plants outside?
Outdoors, cucumbers should be sown or transplanted into the ground no earlier than 2 weeks after the last frost date. Cucumbers are extremely susceptible to frost and cold damage; the soil should be at least 70ºF (21ºC) for germination. Seedlings set best at that temperature, too.
What temperature is too low for cucumbers?
Below 63°F, cucumbers do not grow. In such conditions, plants sit in the soil and become susceptible to damages caused by pests in the soil. With that said, check soil temperatures and be sure they are above 63°F before planting cucumbers.
How cold can cucumber plants tolerate at night?
55℉ (13℃) is the coldest nighttime temperature cucumbers can safely withstand. Nighttime lows below 55℉ (13℃) can prevent cucumbers from flowering or producing fruit. For the best-tasting cucumbers, nighttime temperatures should be no lower than 60℉ (16℃).
What month should I plant cucumbers?
Cucumbers are warm-season crops that don’t tolerate frost. In mild climates with long growing seasons, plant them outdoors between April and June. In very warm climates, plant cucumbers as early as February or March through July. Plant only after soil and air temperatures are predictably above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is eating my cucumber plants at night?
If you see holes or ragged chunks of leaves disappearing and the damage has been occurring slowly, with a little feeding each night, beetles, caterpillars, earwigs or slugs may be the culprits. To distinguish among these four look for signs, or evidence, left behind.
What temp is too cold for tomatoes?
Tomato plants can tolerate temperatures above freezing (over 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and survive. A temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below will result in a frost or freeze that will kill unprotected tomato plants.
How long do cucumbers take to grow?
50 to 70 days
Cucumbers are ready for harvest 50 to 70 days from planting, depending on the variety. Depending on their use, harvest on the basis of size. Cucumbers taste best when harvested in the immature stage (Figure 2). Cucumbers should not be allowed to reach the yellowish stage as they become bitter with size.
Is April too early to plant cucumbers?
Cucumbers like the warmth and aren’t able to survive in the frost. If your region enjoys a long growing season and a mild climate, you can begin planting cucumber seeds in April or June. Those who live in warmer areas can plant them as early as February or March all the way through to July.
What can you not plant near cucumbers?
Plants to Avoid Growing with Cucumbers
- Brassicas. Plants in the brassica family (like brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi) have a mixed relationship with cucumbers.
- Melons.
- Potatoes.
- Sage.
- Fennel.
How often should cucumbers be watered?
Cucumbers perform best with regular, deep watering once a week or so and with more frequency if the weather is very hot for a period of days. Inadequate or inconsistent moisture can cause oddly shaped or poor-tasting fruit.
Is Epsom salts good for cucumber plants?
Your cucumbers might be a bit weathered and worn come mid season. You can use Epsom Salts as a way to green them up and give them a boost. One time, mid season for your heavy feeding plants, is all you need in the way of Epsom Salts. Despite what you might hear, Epsom Salts work.
Can I use Miracle Grow on cucumbers?
Cucumbers benefit from being fertilized with this Miracle-Gro plant food every 1 to 2 weeks, starting either when the seeds sprout or cucumber seedlings are transplanted into the garden. A 1.5-pound package will fertilize up to 600 square feet of garden. Get Miracle-Gro Plant Food on Amazon, at Menards, or at Lowe’s.
Can you cover plants with a bucket to protect from frost?
A good rule of thumb is to cover plants by 8 p.m. the night before a forecasted frost and uncover them by 8 a.m. the next morning. –Buckets and plastic plant pots are great for covering tender plants. Simply turn the bucket or container upside down and place it over the plant.
Do cucumbers like full sun or shade?
Sunlight. Cucumber plants will produce the best with 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. But if that’s not an option, they can still produce in partial or even full shade.
Can cucumbers tolerate frost?
Beans, cucumbers, eggplant, musk melon, okra, peppers, pumpkins, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, and tomatoes will all be damaged by even a light frost, but many other crops will survive.
Do cucumbers keep bugs away?
Keep pests away.
Common household and garden pests—including slugs, moths, wasps, and ants—don’t like the bitter smell of cucumber peels. Placing a few slices of raw cucumber in areas where you have minor pest control problems is an eco-friendly and inexpensive way to rid your home of these annoying bugs.
Can you eat cucumber leaves?
Cucumber leaves
This includes being the perfect top-to-tail plant where the sprouts, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit are all edible. What is this? Fresh, crisp cucumber sprouts make an especially good salad green, but tender young cucumber leaves can be eaten as well.
Do you have to prune cucumber plants?
‘Cucumbers should be pruned once a week during the growing season. However, during the more active growth phases, this can be done even twice per week,’ says Barbosa Fernandes. It’s important not to prune cucumbers too early, however.
What temperature is too hot for cucumbers?
They love full sun and thrive in hot summer weather during the day and warm weather at night. The ideal cucumber growing temperature is between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to PennState Extension. Temperatures below 50 degrees will cause them to grow slower, as will temperatures above 95 degrees.
What can you spray on cucumber plants to keep bugs away?
One recipe calls for an ounce each of wood ash and hydrated lime powder to be mixed into a gallon of water and sprayed directly onto the plants. Another calls instead for a mix of onion, garlic, dried hot peppers and pure soap. Spray both sides of each leaf in order to effectively deter cucumber beetles.