How to fertilize cucumbers - in open ground, after planting, and when?

Cucumbers are a staple in any garden, gaining popularity thanks to their distinctive flavor, aroma, and low calorie content. Proper fertilizing will help you achieve a bountiful cucumber harvest and prolong fruiting.

Fertilization at each stage of plant growth must be approached very seriously, as its disease resistance and increased yield depend on it. Therefore, it is important to know what and when to feed cucumbers. growing in open groundto form a strong bush that will later produce good ovaries.

When and how to fertilize cucumbers in open ground?

Enriching cucumbers with beneficial macro- and micronutrients at every stage of their development leads to increased yields. Throughout the entire cucumber growth period, from germination to wilting, 3-4 applications of organic and inorganic fertilizers are necessary.

Many gardeners prefer organic fertilizers (ash, yeast, mullein), which guarantee environmentally friendly production. Mineral supplements are also popular because they are packaged in the correct dosage and have virtually no unpleasant odor.

Do cucumbers in open ground always need to be fertilized?

Cucumbers are demanding when it comes to growing conditions. Timely fertilizing in open ground will ensure proper and productive development. The applied nutrients will maintain the required mineral and organic composition of the soil. Only under these conditions can cucumbers thrive, taste good, and be of good quality.

Flowering and fruiting, like the rest of the growing season, are important periods for fertilization by any method:

• root - watering under each bush;
• Foliar application - irrigating the leaves with a solution allows for increased yield and longer ovary formation.

Fertilizing after planting seedlings in open ground

Seven days before planting the seedlings, it's recommended to incorporate rotted manure, sawdust, and fallen leaves into the soil to a depth of 40 cm, then cover with a thick layer of humus. Cover the area with plastic wrap, and after a while, sprinkle the soil with ash.

Immediately after planting the seedlings in open ground, begin applying various complex fertilizers. To promote strong roots and a sturdy bush, apply fertilizer twice:

• 1st – with a urea solution (1 teaspoon per 3 liters of water), 200 ml per bush;

  

• 2nd – after seven days with a mixture of nitrophoska and ash (1 teaspoon of the substance, 1 tablespoon of ash per 3 liters of water).

Greenhouse crops require more frequent feeding, so the procedure is carried out every 2-3 weeks, maintaining the prescribed dosage. It is recommended to fertilize plants in conjunction with watering, which ensures an even distribution of micronutrients in the soil.

In the flowering phase

The first flowers signal the onset of the root feeding period:

1. For greenhouse cucumbers, complex mixtures containing nitrogen are used - azofoska and ammophoska.
2. For cucumbers growing in beds, prepare a mixture: 30 g of ammonium nitrate, 40 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium salts per 10 liters of water.

During fruiting

Cucumbers that have begun to bear fruit need intensive top dressing, since the fruit ovary and its further development takes micronutrients from the soil.

After the first fruits appear, apply a nitrophoska solution to the roots – 1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water. Repeat the procedure seven days later, using an infusion of 0.5 liters of mullein and 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate per bucket of water. Organic stimulants, such as herbal infusions and compost, are added at weekly intervals.

To increase the yield

Spraying the leaves and watering the plantings with a urea solution (50 g per 10 liters of water) will help increase cucumber yields. Alternating mineral fertilizers with organic fertilizers also produces good results.

Among the most effective organic stimulants for increasing yields is an infusion of the herb, steeped in water at a ratio of 1:1. The resulting concentrated liquid is diluted in a ratio of 1:5, followed by irrigation or foliar spraying.

Mineral and organic fertilizers for cucumbers in open ground

Mineral fertilizers help stimulate the development and growth of vegetable crops. The following types of mineral fertilizers exist:

1. Potassium – for the formation of stems, leaves and subsequent fruiting.
2. Phosphorus – for the growth of greenery and the formation of fruits.
3. Nitrogen-containing – for normal vegetation of cucumbers.

Ready-to-use modern preparations such as "Azogran" and "Agricola-6" are in demand. To prepare the nutrient solution, take 10 liters of water and 25 g of the preparation. Additionally, good results are observed by adding 1 teaspoon of potassium phosphate and 1 tablespoon of poultry manure to this infusion.

Specialized gardening stores offer a wide range of products. However, gardeners often prefer traditional remedies.

Mullein infusion

The most popular organic fertilizer for cucumbers is mullein infusion, which is used not only for vegetables grown in garden beds but also in greenhouses. Organic fertilizer is rich in micronutrients essential for healthy plant development.

The solution is prepared at a ratio of 1:10, for each cucumber bush there is 1 liter of freshly prepared solution.

Herbal fertilizers

The herbal infusion is easy to prepare, free, and safe for your health, as it consists entirely of organic ingredients. This fertilizer quickly provides garden crops with essential micronutrients for nutrition during the growing season.

Any weed can be used to prepare a concentrated solution, but an infusion with nettle is the most effective. The herb is crushed and covered with water until completely covered. To avoid odor, microbiological additives (Baikal EM1, Flora-S) are added to the solution.

Bird droppings

Poultry manure contains more nutrients than any other organic material. It has a neutral pH and does not increase soil acidity.

To prepare the solution, simply take 10 liters of water, 1 kg of manure, and add two cups of ash. Use 1 liter of the prepared solution per bush.

Foliar feeding from stores

To support active fruiting, it is recommended to apply mineral fertilizers, widely available in gardening stores, along with organic fertilizers. However, caution should be exercised, as excessive use of mineral fertilizers can negatively impact plant health.

The most common and effective mineral fertilizer for foliar feeding is a superphosphate solution (1 tablespoon per 10 liters of water), which helps extend the growing season and fruit set. For best results, it is recommended to add 0.5 tablespoons of potassium and ammonium nitrate to the solution.

Spray the bushes with the prepared solution in the evening to prevent sunlight from hitting the leaves. The mineral fertilizer prevents fungal diseases and pathogenic bacteria. Spray the cucumber plantation with this solution 2-3 times during the growing season.

How can you feed cucumbers according to folk recipes?

Folk fertilizers for all cucumbers are considered more gentle, guarantee health preservation when consumed and will cost the gardener much less.

Wood ash

Experts say that wood ash is the best natural fertilizer, which helps create favorable conditions in the soil for the development of nodule bacteria.

Wood ash is rich in various macro- and microelements (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, boron, manganese) and is free of chlorine and nitrogen. Cucumbers are fed with wood ash 4 to 6 times during the growing season:

• after the first true leaves appear;
• at the beginning of flowering;
• during the period of active fruit setting.

Subsequently, apply once every 14 days. Ash can be scattered on the soil or prepared as an infusion: 2 tablespoons of ash per 1 liter of water, which is steeped for a week. Water at the roots at a rate of 1 liter per plant.

For foliar spraying, dilute 1 glass of ash in 10 liters of water and leave for 24 hours.

Yeast

Most of all cucumber crops are “loved” yeast feeding, which promotes active root formation and increases yield. It is used both in greenhouses and in garden beds.

You can use either regular yeast or dry yeast. To prepare a solution, add 10 g of yeast to 5 liters of water, adding 2 cups of sugar or jam. Let the mixture sit for several days until fermentation begins. Then, use 1 cup of the mixture per bucket of water to water your plants.

During the growing season, feed the plants with yeast infusion 2-3 times:

• when the seedlings begin to develop leaves, to ensure rapid development of the bushes;
• in the initial flowering phase to stimulate fruit set;
• after the first fruiting.

Yeast also promotes the formation of beneficial bacteria in the soil, which saturate the soil with nitrogen and oxygen.

Honey top dressing

Honey is applied to cucumbers during flowering, which helps attract pollinating insects. To do this, dissolve 1 tablespoon of honey in 1 liter of water and spray it on the leaves and tops. This will increase the yield in any weather conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both an excess and a deficiency of mineral elements are harmful to cucumber crops. Proper application of fertilizers (organic and mineral) will ensure a bountiful harvest of strong, healthy cucumbers.