April 16, 2025, 9:35 am | Read time: 3 minutes
If you want to grow your own vegetables for the first time, you are often overwhelmed. There are many varieties, different planting times, and much more to consider. Then, there is the excitement and anticipation of the delicious vegetables that you will later harvest. However, especially at the beginning, this inner joy is dampened if not everything grows as expected. With cucumbers in particular, it is important to pay attention to a few points when growing them.
Cucumbers are generally a good vegetable for beginners if you meet the needs of the plant. Mistakes often creep in during propagation that the plant will not forgive later. myHOMEBOOK editor Franka Kruse-Gering explains what you should bear in mind when propagating cucumbers in order to obtain a rich and, above all, healthy harvest.
1. Wait for the Right Time
Patience is a virtue and is extremely important with cucumbers. If you sow them too early, they will be ready to be planted out before the Ice Saints are over in May. If they are left on the windowsill in their small pots for too long, they cannot grow optimally as they lack space and nutrients.
On the other hand, if you sow them too late, they will also reach their permanent place too late. This means that they will not have the time they need to grow and produce large fruits at harvest time.
The best time to sow cucumbers is during April. This gives them enough time to develop so that they can be planted outdoors after the Ice Saints in May.
2. Cucumbers Need Space
Whether as an adult plant or as a seedling, cucumber plants need space. They should, therefore, each have their own small growing pot. Pricking out is possible from a certain size, but this can damage the delicate roots and prevent the plant from growing properly.
3. The Right Climate for Cucumbers
Cucumbers like it nice and warm, so it is advisable to cover the growing pots with cling film. The heat accumulates under the film. But the humidity is also very high. To prevent the soil from becoming moldy, the foil should be carefully lifted every two days to ensure air exchange.
4. Sow the Seeds Correctly
Cucumbers are so-called dark germinators. This means that you have to make sure that the cucumber seeds are about half a centimeter below the soil layer when you bury them.
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5. The Right Humidity in the Seed Pot
It is advisable to always ensure the right humidity when propagating cucumbers. The soil should be neither too moist nor too dry. It is recommended to lightly mist the seed pot with water every two days using a spray bottle.