Cucumbers are a great addition to any vegetable garden and they’re easy to grow from seed. Starting them indoors allows you to get a head start on the growing season and ensures that you’ll have enough plants by the time the weather is warm enough to transplant them outside. Whether you want to pickle them, make pickled relish or simply enjoy fresh cucumbers, they’re at their peak crispness for only a short window of time. That’s why it’s important to pick them often, and that’s why many people choose to grow their own.
When to Start Cucumbers Indoors
As a warm-weather crop, cucumbers are best should you start cucumbers indoors one to two weeks before the last frost date. They germinate quickly and are ready to be planted out in the garden by early summer.
To begin, fill peat pots or seed trays with seed starting mix. Moisten the soil and make a hole large enough for each seed, then plant them a half inch deep. Cucumber seeds need warm soil to germinate, so place the trays in a warm spot that stays around 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 70 at night. If the soil is too cold, you may want to use a seedling heat mat to speed up germination.
Cucumber Cultivation: Should You Start Cucumbers Indoors or Directly in the Garden
After 3 to 4 weeks, you’ll begin to see a sprouting cucumber in each of your seed trays or containers. Keep the tray in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist at all times. Water gently so as not to disturb the young seedlings, and fertilize the soil with fish emulsion or a soluble complete fertilizer at half strength.
