Cucumbers in a Barrel: A Step-by-Step Guide to Growing at Your Dacha

Unconventional methods of growing vegetables are increasingly being used by vegetable growers. The desire to fit as many crops as possible into a small space is driving modern gardeners to resort to all sorts of tricks, adapting them to grow vegetables in seemingly impossible places and objects. The construction of greenhouses is no longer uncommon. Today, in garden plots, you can see crops growing in hanging pots, floor boxes, and even plastic bottles.

One unusual method of cultivating garden plants is the use of barrels. Despite its simplicity, it has its own secrets. These nuances are important to know, because growing cucumbers in a barrel has a number of advantages over the conventional method, when the crop is sown in beds.

Advantages and features of growing cucumbers in a barrel

Growing vegetables in barrels involves planting seedlings in large barrels or similar containers. This growing method is unique in that it isolates the plants from the surrounding garden. Cucumbers' vines don't interfere with other plants, allowing them to grow compactly and have a better chance of remaining intact.

Planting vegetables in barrels has a number of advantages:

1. Savings. For a good gardener, space is always at a premium. And cucumbers, as we all know, take up a fair amount of space.
2. Location. This growing method allows you to place the barrel anywhere, even on a paved area.
3. Eliminates basic gardening chores. There's no need to dig or weed the soil in the barrel; simply loosen it.

   

   

   

4. Minimizing fertilizer consumption. Fertilizer application is calculated per square meter. The minimal space occupied by vegetables allows for significant savings on fertilizer.
5. Simplified care system. Caring for these cucumbers is much easier: all plant parts are visible and free of soil.
6. Productivity. The enclosed space where the cucumber bushes' root system resides provides additional protection from pests and soil hypothermia. Therefore, the yield of such bushes is much higher.

A barrel of cucumbers also serves as a decorative element in the garden. This unique planting location allows you to grow crispy vegetables not only in your garden but also on your balcony.

Selection of location and materials

The quantity and quality of vegetables depends on the correct choice of location and growing materials. The correct selection of seed material is also crucial.

Where to place?

Cucumbers are planted in sunny locations. However, the sun is at its strongest at midday and can cause significant damage to the plants. Therefore, it is recommended to place the barrels behind buildings or trees, on the east or west side, where the sun will fall on the plants in the morning or evening.

At the same time, plants must be protected from drafts, because cold air currents can affect the health of the bushes.

A good solution is to place it near fruit trees. The elongated vines can be allowed to grow along the branches. This will add an exotic touch to the garden.

Which barrel is better?

Any barrel will do for planting. The most commonly used containers are made of the following materials:

• iron;
• tree;
• plastic;
• iron with enamel coating.

Leaky barrels or bottomless containers can harbor earthworms, which provide invaluable soil for plant roots by loosening the soil from within. On the other hand, leaky barrels can also harbor other, less beneficial insects that can harm the plant.

Suitable varieties of cucumbers

All plant varieties are suitable for planting in a barrel, but preference is given to the following hybrids:

1. Muromsky 36 – fruits no larger than 10 cm. Excellent for canning and pickling. Plants tolerate partial shade and early frosts well.

   

2. Temp F1 is a high-yielding variety with predominantly female flowers. Cucumbers are the same size as those of the Muromsky 36 variety. The hybrid has good natural immunity and is resistant to weather changes.
3. Connie F1 is very similar to Temp F1. It is slightly smaller (by 1-2 cm) and has a longer fruiting period. Cucumbers of both varieties are not bitter and do not overripen.

   

4. Othello F1 – cucumbers reach 12 centimeters in size. The fruits are sweet, crisp, and free of internal cavities. This variety is highly productive.
5. Phoenix is ​​a late-ripening cucumber variety that produces fruit until frost. It produces crisp, non-bitter fruits. This variety has a predominance of female flowers, indicating increased fruiting.

   

Any cucumber variety, grown in a barrel, will produce much more fruit than bushes grown in a garden bed.

A step-by-step guide to growing cucumbers in a barrel at your dacha.

Proper vegetable care is the key to a good harvest. A step-by-step process for growing vegetables in barrels, complete with photos, will help inexperienced vegetable growers avoid common mistakes.

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Preparing and planting seeds

Preparing seeds for planting consists of the following stages:

1. The seeds are placed in salt water for half an hour. After this time, the empty seeds float to the surface, while the full ones sink to the bottom.

   

2. Many gardeners recommend hardening off plants to help them survive the first frost. To do this, swollen but unsprouted seeds are placed in a damp cloth in a refrigerator set at -2 to 0°C. They are kept there for two days, then immediately sown.

   

3. Before planting, the soil in the barrel is disinfected. It is watered with hot water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Seeds are planted 6-8 per hole. Later, excess plants are removed. The distance between future plants is approximately 15 cm. In practice, 4-5 cucumber plants are grown in a 200-liter barrel.

Seeding in barrels can be done a little earlier than in open ground. Early seedings are covered with film for thermal insulation.

Watering mode

Cucumbers need to be watered generously and regularly. Active growth and fruiting require increased humidity. Water early in the morning or after sunset. The water should be warm. Use about 5 liters of water per square meter.

In cloudy weather, watering is reduced because moisture consumption decreases. On particularly hot days, watering is increased due to increased moisture evaporation from the soil. Abundant watering is the key to a good harvest. However, cucumbers should not be overwatered. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

Fertilizers

Cucumbers are fertilized according to a schedule based on the plants' life cycle and their needs. The fertilizing schedule is as follows:

1. Before flowering, cucumbers are fertilized with urea to promote foliage growth. Dilute 1 tablespoon of the product per 10 liters of water. One liter of fertilizer is used per plant.
2. Flowering period. This requires two feedings. The first time, the plants are fertilized with nitrophoska, diluted similarly to urea. The second feeding is done with organic fertilizers. A mixture of ash (1 cup) and chicken manure (0.5 kg) works well for cucumbers.

During the active growth period, plants can be given a single application of liquid vermicompost. Apply the fertilizer according to the instructions.

Bush formation and garter

There are two ways to shape a bush:

1. Forming a single stem. This method is suitable for plants that don't rely on bees for pollination. When the first five leaves appear, pinch off all side shoots and inflorescences. After the next five nodes, only side shoots should be removed. Once the stem reaches 1 m, it's permissible to leave side shoots on it to achieve higher yields.

   

   

   

2. Forming cucumber bushes. This method is used only for bee-pollinated plants. The principle of formation involves pinching the main stem to stimulate the growth of lateral shoots. The main stem is pinched above the sixth leaf. All other stems are pinched above the fifth leaf.

   

When growing in barrels, the first method of forming a cucumber bush is predominantly used.

Growing method on sawdust

Some gardeners grow cucumbers in sawdust and then transplant them into fertile soil. This method has its advantages:

1. Accelerated germination process.
2. Stronger plants grow from sawdust.
3. Easy transplantation with minimal risk of injury to the root system of cucumbers.
4. Possibility of planting plants without releasing the first true leaves.
5. Improving the taste of cucumbers.

The seedlings are covered with a thin layer of the same sawdust. Cover the seedlings with plastic wrap and place them in a warm place. Seedlings appear within 3 days. Only sprouted plants are considered ready for transplanting.

How to harvest crops correctly

Harvesting barrel-grown plants is a joy. Firstly, you don't have to trample the soil with your feet or constantly squat; secondly, the vegetables are clean and easy to see.

There are a number of recommendations for harvesting cucumbers:

1. The fruit is cut with scissors so as not to damage the neighboring ovaries and the vine on which it ripened.
2. Deformed and questionable vegetables are removed immediately to avoid possible contamination of other cucumbers.
3. Collections are carried out in the morning or evening, avoiding the scorching sun and heat.

Problems in caring for barrel cucumbers

Even experienced vegetable growers face difficulties when growing cucumbersThe most common growing problems are yellowing leaves, few or no ovaries, and pest and disease infestations.

Why do leaves turn yellow?

Yellowing of leaves occurs for several reasons:

1. Plants are not getting enough light. Insufficient light affects photosynthesis, resulting in a loss of their vibrant green color.
2. Nutritional deficiencies.

   

3. Cucumbers lack moisture. Dry soil causes the plants to wilt.
4. Sudden temperature fluctuations. Even frost-hardy varieties don't like sudden changes in air temperature and may react by yellowing.

All of the above problems can be easily resolved by eliminating the cause of yellowing.

What to do if there are few ovaries and what is the reason?

The absence or small number of ovaries has its own reasons:

1. Individual characteristics of the variety. Most varieties have both male and female flowers. Fruits are formed only from the female flowers, while the male flowers remain sterile.
2. Incorrect fertilizing. Excess nitrogen and a deficiency of phosphorus negatively impact bud formation, resulting in fewer ovaries.
3. Weather plays a significant role in fruit set. Heat or cloudy skies are not conducive to fruit set. Furthermore, the pollination process, which is crucial for fruit set, is also directly dependent on weather.

Pest control

Barrel growing significantly reduces the risk of pest infestation. However, infestations still occur.

Most often, barrel cucumbers are attacked by above-ground pests: aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. These harmful insects can be controlled with insecticides. These products are highly effective, but their use on edible vegetables raises legitimate concerns for many.

Traditional pest control methods involve treating cucumbers with safe solutions to eliminate insects. These include a concentrated aqueous solution of ground red pepper, garlic, or foaming solutions of baby soap or laundry soap.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Grow vegetables in a barrel It's not difficult at all. This method allows you to save planting space and has many other advantages over traditional planting.