Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a great summer crop that thrive in warm conditions and produce crisp, refreshing fruits – so much better than the shop brought ones.

They can be grown successfully outdoors in warm climates but best results are seen in greenhouses and polytunnels. With the right soil, sunlight, and spacing, cucumber plants can produce a steady harvest throughout the summer.

Cucumbers are warm-season plants that grow best in sunny, sheltered locations. Seeds are usually sown indoors from March to April to give plants a head start. Seedlings are transplanted outdoors or into a greenhouse in late May or early June once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Cucumber plants prefer full sun, at least 6–8 hours daily and grow best in fertile, well-drained soil rich in compost or well-rotted manure.

Plants should be spaced 40–50 cm apart when grown on a trellis or around 90 cm apart if grown on the ground to allow good airflow and healthy growth. Cucumbers require consistent watering and warm temperatures, as they are not frost hardy and are very sensitive to cold conditions. Fruits typically develop 8–12 weeks after sowing, allowing gardeners to harvest fresh cucumbers from July through September if picked regularly.