Step-by-step instructions for growing cucumber seedlings – from A to Z

We offer you precise planting times for cucumber seeds to grow seedlings in different regions and according to the 2024 lunar calendar. And most importantly, we'll explain step-by-step how to do it correctly. Be sure to read to the very end to ensure you do everything correctly.

Favorable and unfavorable days

When carrying out any work at the garden, it's important to refer to the lunar calendar. This is because the changing phases of the moon trigger various processes in the soil. For example, during the waning moon, energy is directed to the roots of plants, making it an ideal time to plant root crops. The favorable period for plants whose above-ground parts play a significant role is the waxing moon. This is precisely the case with us. Therefore, good days for sowing are:

Planting on the New Moon and Full Moon, as well as the days before and after them, is prohibited, as there's a high risk that the seeds will not germinate or will actually stretch out, meaning they won't work. Therefore, unfavorable days include:

• February 9-11 and 23-25;
• March 9-11 and 24-26;
• April 7-9 and 23-25;
• May 7-9 and 22-24.

During these days, it is better to refrain from any kind of work with plants.

The remaining dates are neutral. Use your own discretion.

Deadlines by region

Timing also depends on climate conditions. These vary by region, and they must be strictly adhered to, otherwise, you won't achieve a satisfactory result. Generally, keep in mind that transplanting seedlings to their permanent location occurs at 4 weeks of age. Use this as a guide.

Moscow Region and Belarus

In the Moscow region and many regions of the central part of the country, as well as in Belarus, work can begin as early as mid-March. Therefore, as early as the 20th of April, cucumbers can be planted in glass, film, or polycarbonate greenhouses.

However, planting in the garden without using a special covering material should be delayed until mid-May or even early June, depending on the weather. Sowing should begin around April 10th-15th, accordingly.

Urals, Siberia, Far East

Getting a good harvest in these parts of the country isn't easy, but it's possible, even for a beginner, especially if you follow our advice. If you plant indoors in May, the starting time is April.

Cucumbers can be transplanted into open ground only in mid- to late June, so sowing should take place around May 15th. This is the only way to achieve a good final result.

The Leningrad region and the western North as a whole

In the Leningrad region, sowing can begin around April 5th, and then the seedlings can be transplanted into an unheated greenhouse in early May.

For final cultivation in open ground (when the transplant is scheduled for the 10th-20th of June), we plan to start work in the first ten days of May.

Southern Russia and Ukraine

In most regions of the South, as well as in Ukraine, the climate is more favorable than in mainland Russia. Therefore, work can begin a little earlier.

Seedlings can be moved under plastic cover as early as early April, meaning sowing can begin as early as late February. Plants can be transferred to the ground as early as May 10th, with seeding then taking place in early April.

Dependence on variety

In central Russia, the most successful varieties are those that ripen within 4 weeks. These include:

• Masha;
• "Amur";
• "Hermann";
• "Competitor".

All of them are considered early or mid-season. It's not recommended to choose late-ripening varieties. This is because this type of crop is very warm and sun-loving. If the plants don't have time to bear fruit before the onset of cold weather, the maximum harvest will be lost.

Sowing

The most common way to grow cucumbers is from seeds. Within a month, the plants will be ripe enough to be transplanted into a greenhouse or open garden beds. For southern regions, planting begins in late February, and for other regions, from March to May. The process consists of several stages.

Preparation of planting material

Before planting, disinfect the seeds to remove any microbes that may be present on their surface. This also helps prevent seedling contamination. To do this, dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate and soak the seeds in it for 30-35 minutes.

After this, transfer them to a damp cloth bag and place them in a pot of warm water for 10 hours. This procedure is necessary to improve germination. After 10 hours, remove them and dry them.

Soil preparation

To grow a worthy harvest, you need to properly prepare the soil. Purchase a special soil mix suitable for cucumbers at a gardening store.

You can also make your own by mixing it with humus, ash, and a small amount of potassium. If the soil was collected from your garden, disinfect it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This step is not necessary for store-bought soil.

Sowing

The seedlings of this crop have a fragile root system, which can be damaged during transplanting. To prevent this, sow in separate containers — peat pots or plastic cups, with a capacity of 0.3-0.5 liters.

Step by step process:

1. Treat each container with a hot solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect. Dry them, removing excess moisture.
2. Place a drainage layer on the bottom of them, for example, crushed expanded clay, to remove excess moisture.
3. Fill the containers with soil so that it occupies 2/3 of the container’s height.
4. Plant at a depth of no more than 1 cm, then cover with soil. Two to three seeds can be planted per container. If sowing in a shared tray or container, space them at least 7-8 cm apart.
5. Lightly moisten the surface layer of soil with a spray bottle.

To improve germination until the seeds sprout, you can cover the container with a thick film. Periodically check to prevent condensation. Place the container on a windowsill in a room with a temperature of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.

Care

Even if the planting calendar is set to favorable dates and the region's climate is met, it is not always possible to grow healthy seedlings.

This is due to the lack of proper care for it, which boils down to the following:

• remove the plastic film immediately after the first sprout appears;
• water the seedlings as the soil dries out with warm water under the roots, without touching the green mass of the plant;
• if daylight hours are short, install artificial fluorescent lamps and turn them on for work in the morning, evening, and on cloudy days;
• If several seeds sprout in one container, select the strongest ones and carefully remove the rest with scissors;
• When 2 true leaves appear on it, feed it with a special fertilizer solution consisting of 20 g of superphosphate, the same amount of calcium nitrate and 15 g of potassium sulfide.

Before planting, be sure to take the seedlings outside or onto the balcony to allow them to acclimate better. Start with a few minutes a day, gradually increasing the interval to several hours. To improve seedling growth, fertilize the hole in the soil with compost or manure, covering it with a thin layer of soil.

Common mistakes

When growing cucumbers, even when strictly observing favorable days, gardeners often experienced failure. This could be due to several reasons:

1. Using low-quality seeds. Buy them only from a reputable supplier. Otherwise, the plant will grow weak or not at all. Place them in water and keep only those that sink to the bottom; be sure to dry them.
2. The soil doesn't contain enough nutrients for the seedling to grow. It must contain peat, humus, and turf. If mixing all the ingredients isn't possible, purchase ready-mixed soil from a gardening store.
3. Insufficient light. If artificial lighting isn't installed, the plant may begin to turn yellow, leading to wilting and stunted growth. The same can happen if the growing seedlings begin to shade each other.
4. Pests. Failure to disinfect containers, soil, and seeds will result in pests appearing in the soil and devouring the plants.