Planting cucumbers in June 2021: sowing dates and growing tips

Cucumbers are among the most common vegetable crops. They can be grown from seedlings or by direct sowing. The latter method is typically used for summer planting, when the threat of frost has passed. To ensure a bountiful harvest, vegetable growers select favorable planting dates in June 2021 according to the lunar calendar. They also consider the regional climate and the characteristics of the variety.

Selecting a variety

To get a bountiful harvest of cucumbers, it is necessary to follow all the rules of cultivation and select a productive varietyIn June, it's important to sow seeds of varieties suitable for outdoor cultivation. Consider the intended use of the harvest. For example, early-ripening cucumbers are better suited for fresh eating. Late-ripening vegetables are suitable for sale and pickling, as they have a longer shelf life and a firmer texture.

Early

The growing season for these varieties ranges from 40 to 45 days. If sown directly in June, the harvest can be as early as late July or early August. Direct-seeded varieties can be grown in various regions. Thanks to their rapid maturation, a good harvest can be reaped even in cool climates.

Popular early varieties:

1. The "White Night F1" hybrid ripens 44 days after sowing. It doesn't require pollination, so it produces well even in rainy summers. The short, cylindrical fruits, with dark green skin covered with small bumps, do not overgrow or turn yellow.
2. The indeterminate hybrid "Dachnik F1" produces tall bushes with female-type inflorescences. Ovaries form in clusters. The fruits are small, elongated, cylindrical, with green skin covered in large tubercles.
3. The high-yielding hybrid "Aprel'skiy F1" forms a compact bush with few shoots. It requires no pollination thanks to its female flowers. To increase yield, the plant is trained into an inverted triangle. The central stem is pinched when it reaches the top of the trellis.

Mid-season

Mid-season varieties reach maturity 55 days after planting. These vegetables are eaten fresh or canned. Compared to early cucumbers, they have thicker skins, so they store better.

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The best mid-season cucumbers:

1. The 'Konkurent' cucumbers produce cluster-type ovaries. The oval-cylindrical fruits are covered with bright green skin with large tubercles. The small fruits are suitable for fresh eating and canning.
2. The "Zastolny F1" hybrid produces cluster-type ovaries. The plant is tall, with a medium number of shoots and female flowers. The fruits are short, cylindrical, and covered with large tubercles.
3. The Rodnichok F1 hybrid, with long, weakly branched stems, produces small cucumbers weighing up to 110 g. Their skin is covered with light stripes and sparse dark spines. The fruits have no bitter taste, do not turn yellow for a long time, and are transportable.

Late

These cucumbers ripen 60 days after germination. They are grown primarily in the southern part of the country with a warm climate. Late-ripening varieties are harvested until mid-October. In temperate regions, these cucumbers are grown only from seedlings.

Popular late-ripening varieties:

1. The fruits of the Phoenix variety are suitable for fresh eating and canning. The plant is branchy and grows vigorously, requiring staking and training. This variety produces abundant fruit until mid-October.
2. The "Pobeditel" cucumber tolerates drought well and produces fruit successfully in cool summers. The plant produces abundantly until frost. The cylindrical fruits are covered with a yellowish skin with large bumps. They are used for canning.
3. The "Solnechny" variety forms a branched bush with both male and female flowers. Pollination is required for abundant fruiting. The fruits are small, with light green stripes and sparse tubercles.

Sowing dates

Seeds of heat-loving cucumbers can be planted In June, when the soil temperature reaches 12°C and the air temperature rises above 15°C. Planting too early is pointless, as the plants won't germinate in the cold soil and will simply rot. Planting should also be done immediately. The vegetable thrives at temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. In July, during extreme heat, the growth of the plants slows.

According to the lunar calendar

Many vegetable growers plan their planting according to the phases of the moon. It is believed that for crops that bear fruit above ground, planting days in June 2021 fall during the waxing moon. At this time, sap rises upward, and the aboveground portions develop more rapidly. The best harvest comes from plants planted during the moon's transit through the most fertile zodiac signs: Cancer, Taurus, Libra, Scorpio, and Pisces.

The waning moon phase is not suitable for planting cucumbers. During this time, plant juices move underground, and the above-ground part of the plant does not develop. It is also not recommended to plan planting during the full moon and new moon, as plant growth slows during these periods.

It is recommended to sow cucumbers in June 2021 on the following days:

• favorable dates – 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29, 30
• unfavorable days – 9, 10, 11, 24

By region

Warm weather in June arrives not only in the Moscow region and other regions of the central part of Russia. In the Urals and Siberia, temperatures also reach optimal levels for sowing cucumbers. During this period, there is no longer a threat of recurrent frosts. Therefore, vegetables can be safely sown by seed anywhere in Russia. The only limitation applies to regions with cool climates. Here, only early-ripening varieties can be planted by seed, while mid-season cucumbers are grown from seedlings.

Features of cultivation

To get a good cucumber harvest, don't simply throw dry seeds into the ground. First, select the best location for the vegetable garden, carefully prepare the soil and seeds, and sow cucumbers according to all agricultural practices.

Soil preparation

The site for a cucumber bed should be chosen according to crop rotation guidelines. Cucumbers grow best in areas previously planted with tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, garlic, and onions. These crops also make good neighbors. It is not recommended to grow cucumbers after pumpkins. The bed should be planted in a sunny location, protected from cold winds. Even in light shade, the yield of cucumbers is significantly reduced.

Cucumbers grow well in light, fertile, and loose soil with a neutral pH. The soil for the bed should be prepared in advance, preferably in the fall. At the very least, preparation should begin a month before planting. The area should be thoroughly dug to the depth of a spade. At the same time, humus or compost should be added at a rate of 10 liters per square meter. The organic matter loosens and lightens the soil, making it more nutritious.

You can fertilize the soil with complex mineral fertilizers. Nitroammophoska, which contains the right concentrations of nutrients for plant development, is suitable. You can also apply them separately. Ammonium nitrate is applied in the spring, and potassium sulfate and superphosphate are added during fall preparation.

Preparation of seed material

Sowing cucumbers is possible without any preliminary preparation. Store-bought seeds, whether pelleted or granulated, are not treated. However, to improve germination and early emergence, preliminary preparation is necessary. First, the seeds are sorted, discarding any damaged, spotted, or small specimens. Disinfection is essential to eliminate pathogens. To do this, soak the seeds for half an hour in a solution of Fitosporin-M or potassium permanganate.

Instead of disinfecting, high-quality seeds from healthy plants are treated with a solution of the growth stimulant "Zircon," "Epin-Extra," or "Energen." The seeds are then germinated, wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in a plastic bag. The condition of the seeds is checked daily. Once the sprouts emerge, they are sown.

Sowing

After preparing the bed, dig holes 3 cm deep at intervals of 20 to 40 cm. Rows are spaced 60 cm to 1 m apart. For reliability, place 2-3 seeds per hole. Once the seedlings sprout, leave the strongest plant and remove the others. Cover the seeds with soil and water gently. Dry seeds can be sown at intervals of 10 cm. Thin them out after the sprouts emerge.

Care

Once sowing is complete, cover the cucumber bed with agrofibre or polyethylene to increase humidity and insulate the soil. For convenience, it is recommended to place arches over the plantings and stretch spunbond over them. The cover should be lifted daily to allow the plants to ventilate. You can cover the seedlings with regular polyethylene bottles, trimming off the tops. Once sprouts appear, remove the cover. If the bed is covered with spunbond or polyethylene, uncover it gradually. If the seeds were planted close together, thin them out after sprouts emerge, leaving the strongest plants spaced 20 to 30 cm apart.

The bed is watered only with warm water. The soil dries very slowly under the plastic film. However, moisture levels must be monitored constantly. Until the seedlings emerge, maintain moderate soil moisture. After sprouting, water the bed twice a day. Apply water only at the roots, avoiding dripping onto the leaves.

Growing bushes must be tied up to ensure they receive adequate light from all sides. This prevents the development of fungal infections. Cucumber vines are tied to trellises Or hanging ropes. Be sure to pinch off any leaves and buds emerging from the axils. This improves the bush's light exposure and promotes proper nutrient distribution.

For successful cultivation of cucumbers Even in cool climates, adhere to the following recommendations:

• for planting, select varieties and hybrids of cucumbers that are suitable for local climatic conditions;
• the beds are arranged so that all plants are well lit and protected from drafts;
• If the cucumbers do not sprout or die during the growing process, you can plant them using seedlings before July;
• For varieties that require pollination, honey plants are planted nearby to attract bees;
• Potatoes are not planted next to cucumber beds, as they significantly reduce the vegetable yield.

When planting cucumber seeds outdoors, consider the climate. A favorable sowing date is selected based on the lunar calendar. If necessary, it can be adjusted according to the weather. This ensures better plant development, making the plants stronger and healthier. To ensure a good harvest, ensure proper care for the emerging seedlings. If necessary, provide shelter to protect against sudden cold snaps or prolonged rains.