How to properly feed cucumbers with ash: application of fertilizers, rules and features

Gardeners use an ash infusion to feed cucumbers in open ground. This method of fertilizing plants has long been popular among vegetable growers due to its effectiveness and affordability. To ensure the procedure is successful and does not harm the vegetable, you need to know how to apply fertilizer.

Can you sprinkle ash on cucumbers?

Beginning gardeners often question whether ash is a good fertilizer for cucumbers. This question has long been answered, and reviews from experienced gardeners confirm the effectiveness of ash fertilizer. When prepared correctly and used according to the instructions, it promotes better root development, and leaves, shoots, and fruit develop well.

Gardeners use ash as a protection against snails and slugs. Ash fertilizer can be used on cucumbers grown in greenhouses, open ground, or indoors.

Treating cucumbers with ash will provide the vegetables with the necessary nutrients. Vegetable growers will notice:

• accelerated photosynthesis, which will have a beneficial effect on the development of culture;
• Strengthening roots. This result can be achieved by fertilizing cucumbers with ash, which improves the soil structure and saturates it with oxygen;
• cucumber vines have become stronger;
• accelerated plant growth;
• cucumber leaves become larger and more saturated in color;
• increased resistance to negative environmental factors;
• reducing the likelihood of disease;
• increased productivity.

Fertilizing cucumbers with ash is essential because it's beneficial for the crop. These properties indicate that gardeners will benefit from using this fertilizer.

Despite the obvious benefits of the substance, there are still contraindications to its use:

• It is prohibited to use ash obtained from burning garbage or materials containing synthetic impurities;
• acidic and calcareous soils;
• should not be used until at least two true leaves appear on the cucumber seedlings;
• You cannot sprinkle ash on the plant or use a solution based on it to water the fruits, as they will become unfit for consumption.

If you follow these recommendations, the likelihood of harming the crop is low.

Signs of potassium and calcium deficiency

If seedlings are deficient in these components, they begin to wilt. If this happens, they need fertilizing.

Signs of potassium deficiency:

• a yellow or light green border appears on the leaf;
• the leaves become wrinkled, dark, and often wither;
• the shape of the foliage changes, its edges curl inward;
• the stems wither prematurely.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency:

• the leaves turn white;
• the tops of the shoots become pale;
• rapid wilting and dying of leaves.

Fertilizing cucumbers with ash, applied in the required quantities, helps revive the crop and promote its development.

How to dilute and apply

When preparing an ash solution for cucumbers, it's important to consider the proportions, which vary depending on the purpose of the procedure. This includes:

• seed preparation;
• applying fertilizer at all stages of flowering;
• protecting crops from parasites.

Basically, to apply ash to cucumbers, gardeners prepare a solution from it: 300 g of ash must be dissolved in 10 liters of water.

The solution prepared in this way will help treat 1 square meter of soil.

Wood ash can be used as a fertilizer for cucumbers in a variety of ways. The key is to use it correctly, following all the recommendations of experienced vegetable growers. Otherwise, you can introduce too many chemicals into the soil, which is just as detrimental to the plant as a deficiency.

Feeding cucumbers wood ash can be used at the stage:

• preparation of seed material;
• glaze;
• foliar feeding (spraying);
• For autumn digging of the garden, dry ash is used.

Additionally, applying dry ash to cucumbers before watering has proven effective. Sprinkle the ash on the soil beneath the plant and water thoroughly. This ensures the root system receives the necessary nutrients. Ash can be used in the same way for cucumbers in a greenhouse.

Processing cucumber seeds

To speed up seed germination, vegetable growers use a special solution: dissolve 1 tablespoon of ash in two liters of water. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and let sit for 48 hours. Strain the mixture before use.

Before planting, seeds should be soaked for 5 hours. This will help ensure early, healthy germination.

Soil refilling

Vegetable growers can prepare the soil at different times using any method:

1. Fertilize in the fall. To do this, add 2 cups of ash per square meter. Dig up the soil.
2. When planting cucumbers or seeds, add ash at a rate of 1-2 cups per 1 square meter;
3. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of ash into each hole before planting the seedlings.

The procedure will nourish the soil with useful minerals.

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Watering

Water the plant with ash fertilizer allowed at all stages of development.

The solution must be diluted as follows:

• dissolve ash for feeding cucumbers (5 tbsp) in 5 liters of water;
• Let the mixture sit for 7 days, stirring occasionally;
• Strain before use.

It's best to water the seedlings at the roots at a rate of 500 ml per 2 square meters once they have two true leaves. If necessary, repeat the treatment, but not earlier than 7 days later.

Foliar spraying

Foliar feeding of cucumbers is most effective during the active fruiting stage. To prepare the solution, mix the ash with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 30 minutes and cool. Before use, strain and dilute with liquid to make a total volume of 10 liters.

The foliage needs to be sprayed every 10 days.

Recipes

Gardeners who grow cucumbers know that to prepare a useful fertilizer, it is necessary not only to follow the recipe but also to choose the right one.

Preparation of ash solution and its use

Ash fertilizer is suitable for any vegetable variety or hybrid. To prepare it, mix 10 tablespoons of the mixture in a bucket of water and let it steep for 7 days. Strain the mixture before watering the cucumbers. Apply it weekly at a rate of 1 liter per plant when two true leaves emerge.

Similar proportions should be maintained for fertilizing the crop after the first ovaries appear.

Preparation and use of ash-herbal tea

A good fertilizer can be made from ash and garden grass. Vegetable growers often use ash-and-nettle fertilizer. Under its influence, plants begin to bloom and produce crops faster. To prepare the solution, you need:

• fill a third of the bucket with chopped nettle leaves and stems;
• add water at room temperature;
• add 200 g of ash;
• Infuse under the lid for 14 days, stirring daily.

Before using, strain the product and dilute it with liquid at a ratio of 1:10. One liter of the resulting product is required per bush. Use the fertilizer once every 7 days.

Foliar feeding with ash and soap

There are several ways to dilute ash for feeding cucumbers. One effective method is ash broth. To prepare it, you need:

• Sift 300 g of ash through a sieve;
• pour 3 liters of boiling water and boil for 30 minutes;
• dilute with water to a volume of 10 liters;
• Add grated soap to the container with the mixture.

Foliar feeding with this solution is suitable for treating cucumbers, tomatoes, and cabbage.

Spraying plants with ash-iodine solution

You can feed the vegetable with a mixture of ash and iodine. To prepare it, you will need:

• dissolve 300 g of ash in a bucket of water;
• add 25-30 drops of antiseptic;
• leave for 48 hours.

The resulting volume is sufficient to feed cucumbers covering two square meters. This treatment can be repeated every 1.5 to 2 weeks. The stage of the crop's development is not important.

Comparison with other mineral fertilizers

Ash is a mineral fertilizer of natural origin.

However, despite its high content of beneficial elements, it won't completely replace all known fertilizers. However, ash can still compete with chemical fertilizers. The fertilizer's advantages include:

• eco-friendliness – does not harm the environment;
• fruits do not accumulate dangerous chemical compounds;
• plants easily absorb it;
• does not accumulate in the soil, worsening its condition.

Due to these properties, vegetable growers choose ash for fertilizer.

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Pest control

Ash is an effective remedy for fighting parasites.

Thanks to it, you can get rid of:

• fleas and cabbage flies. To do this, sprinkle the shoots with dry ash mixed with crushed tobacco;
• caterpillars;
• Aphids. For this purpose, vegetable growers prepare a solution of ash, soap (100 g each), water (12 liters), and urea (2 tablespoons). The solution is left to sit for 48-72 hours, then treated for aphids;
• ants;
• slugs.

All extermination work should be carried out in the evening. For best results, repeat the procedure 2 or 3 times every other day.

https://youtu.be/Mg1ZLwoo2TI

Mistakes in the application of ash fertilizers

If fertilizing cucumbers with ash is done incorrectly, the results will be the opposite of what was expected. For example:

• plants will start to get sick;
• the yield of cucumbers will decrease;
• The cucumber vine may die.

This happens because gardeners apply ash fertilizer incorrectly. Mistakes:

1. The simultaneous application of ash, fresh manure, and other organic matter depletes the soil, resulting in a significant loss of nitrogen.
2. Mixing fertilizers with mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus. In this case, plants don't absorb the element, and it settles in the soil.
3. Treating alkaline soil. Ash can alter the soil's acidity and make it infertile.
4. It is not recommended to use this fertilizer too often in the same area.

The ash's effectiveness lasts for 3 years, so it's important to follow the recommended dosage.

Reviews

Alexey, Leningrad region

I'm a big fan of organic fertilizers when growing vegetables. I've been using an ash solution to feed my cucumbers for a long time now, and the results have never disappointed me. The harvest is always bountiful and delicious.

Lyudmila, Volgograd

My husband and I recently started using ash at our dacha. I happened to see a video online about fertilizing cucumbers with ash and decided to give it a try. My husband and I prepared the ingredients in advance and began fertilizing the cucumber seedlings. The results were immediate: the tops and leaves turned green, and the fruit appeared earlier than usual.

Ivan, Tula

I regularly fertilize not only cucumbers but other vegetables with ash fertilizer. I'm completely satisfied with the results: the plants are healthy, green, and produce a good harvest. Furthermore, I haven't seen any pests in my garden in a long time.

It takes time to obtain ash. It will be available in the required quantity if you begin burning the necessary components. This is best done in early spring. Store the ash in a sealed container until ready to use. Polyethylene bags are ideal; they will preserve the ash's properties for several years. The storage area should have low humidity and preferably be kept as far away from direct UV rays as possible.

Ash will help keep cucumbers healthy and tasty, as well as repel insects. However, it's important to follow the advice of experienced farmers and accurately measure the ingredients when preparing the solution. Otherwise, you could ruin your harvest.