Rules and features of growing cucumbers in the Moscow region

The moderate climate with short summers, sharp temperature fluctuations, and adequate light is ideal for growing cucumbers. Therefore, almost all varieties and hybrids are cultivated in the Moscow region. Here you can get a bountiful harvest in the first months of summer, and then pick vegetables for pickling and canning until early fall. However, there are some planting and care nuances to consider.

Timing and varieties

Cucumbers grow quickly and form fruit under specific conditions. They require moderate light, humidity, and temperature stability. There shouldn't be more than a 15-degree difference between day and night. Ideally, daytime air temperatures should reach at least 18 degrees Celsius, soil temperatures should reach 12 degrees Celsius, and nighttime temperatures should reach 5-7 degrees Celsius. This range determines the growing season for cucumbers in open ground and unheated greenhouses. In the Moscow region, this range corresponds to the second half of May.

Planting dates are determined based on the crop's characteristics, but average values ​​can be used as a guide. Seeds germinate in 2-3 days, then the seedlings need another 30 days to establish themselves and grow. After that, planting can begin. The soil under cover warms up two weeks earlier than in open ground. This means that when planting in a greenhouse, germination should begin as early as the first days of April. If a greenhouse isn't available, you can postpone the process until the 15th or 20th. If planting directly into the ground is planned, wait until late May or early June. Planting even cold-hardy cucumbers earlier is pointless; seedlings will emerge only after the soil has fully warmed.

Early cucumbers in the Moscow region rarely produce a bountiful harvest, but the fruits ripen by mid-June. Among the hybrids most resistant to sudden frosts are:

• Mother-in-law's dessert;
• Mom's favorite;
• Hermann.

The most productive cucumbers in the Moscow region are mid-season cucumbers with long stems. Bush varieties are convenient because they take up less space, but they also produce fewer ovaries. The following cucumber varieties are often planted outdoors:

• Farmer;
• Summer resident;
• Brunette;
• Hector;
• Shorty;
• Aladdin.

These are versatile varieties, suitable for fresh consumption, complex preparations, and traditional whole-fruit canning. These varieties are not recommended for planting on windowsills or balconies, as they produce long vines and large foliage.

For greenhouses, including unheated ones, earlier, heat-loving varieties are suitable. Cucumbers can be sown as early as late April, even without seedlings. The timing of such planting should be determined based on ripening time and possible conditions in the shelter. The following varieties offer a good combination of flavor and yield:

• Cuckoo;
• Samurai;
• Uncle Fyodor;
• Tomboy.

Landing site

Growing cucumbers of various varieties in the Moscow region doesn't require complex soil preparation. The local loamy soil is well suited for this vegetable. It's not too acidic and drains easily. Plant cucumbers in areas with partial shade. Ideally, cucumbers should be planted in a location that receives partial sun exposure. However, full shade is unacceptable. Plant cucumbers in a location free of standing water. If this is a problem, it's best to create an artificial mound or build a bed with additional drainage.

Cucumbers should be planted indoors or outdoors only after a suitable predecessor, fertilizing the soil in the fall. Adding manure and peat mixtures to the soil will speed up warming in the spring and provide essential nutrients. Any cucumbers, both bush and climbing, can be planted in beds after cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. Avoid planting after legumes or onions, as they have similar diseases, the pathogens of which can destroy the new crops.

Varietal cucumbers are planted in areas where the soil has been dug. Throughout almost the entire Moscow region, the soil is of medium density, but quickly absorbs water, so even after one season without tillage, it becomes excessively heavy. It's advisable to till the area in the fall, then apply fertilizer and till again in early spring.

Growing methods

Cucumbers, even early varieties, aren't planted outdoors in the Moscow region before May. This significantly limits year-round cultivation options. Therefore, gardeners prepare seedlings of hybrid, resistant cucumbers in advance, set up beds in greenhouses, and even master unusual cultivation methods on balconies and windowsills. Each planting method has its own unique characteristics.

Open ground

Cucumbers can be sown in open ground using either seeds or seedlings. The timing of the sowing process may vary. Mature cucumber bushes will produce fruit earlier, while seedlings will provide a continuous harvest until early fall. Growing various cucumber varieties outdoors in the Moscow region requires soil preparation in the fall. This is virtually impossible to do in the spring, as the soil dries out completely too late.

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They dig and add fertilizers:

• superphosphates;
• humus;
• peat;
• organic matter.

In open ground, it is better to prepare the bed and supports in advance. Using the trellis method This will not only reduce the space taken up by the vines but also prevent certain diseases, rot, and soil dampening under the dense foliage. Since sunny days alternate with cloudy ones in the Moscow region in summer, tying up cucumbers also improves light exposure.

After planting and fertilizing, it's important to find the optimal watering frequency. This is especially important when growing outdoors, as moisture evaporation and soil drying out are higher. In hot weather, water daily; in cloudy weather, water every three days. All planting is done early in the morning or late in the evening. Regular pruning and shaping of vines or bushes is essential. This allows you to grow enough vegetables without occupying a large area. After the first cucumbers have ripened, remove the first leaves and side shoots. Then gradually bare the vines to reduce the number of useless leaves. On a vertical trellis, train one to three stems, depending on the variety. High planting density is not recommended in the Moscow region due to insufficient natural light.

Since the period of cultivation in open ground is limited to only a few months, it is necessary regular feedingThis also applies to unusual methods such as growing cucumbers in special barrels or boxes. For the first few weeks, use an infusion of freshly cut grass and mullein in a 1:1 ratio as fertilizer. Dilute the concentrate five times with water and water once a week; one liter is sufficient for the plant. Add 20 grams of monopotassium phosphate once a month. Wood ash infusion can be used as a substitute.

Greenhouse

Caring for a greenhouse plant is virtually the same as caring for one in the open ground. It's best to use determinate hybrids. Their growth is limited by the appearance of flowers at the crowns. Therefore, constant pruning is not necessary.

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After planting the cucumbers, it's important to remember about ventilation and humidity control. Once stable daytime temperatures have been established, it's important to open the greenhouse walls or roof. The optimal temperature for ripening is 23-26°C (73-80°F) during the day and 18-22°C (64-72°F) at night. Drafts should be avoided; however, soil dampening and scorching of the cucumber vines are even more dangerous. It's important to maintain humidity at around 90%. Spray with warm water in the evening. Additionally, place wide containers in the greenhouse. An automatic irrigation system works well.

House

These unusual small hybrids are ideal for growing cucumbers indoors. A bush will fit not only on a balcony but also on a windowsill. In the Moscow region, natural light is insufficient, especially in autumn and winter, so additional UV sources are necessary. Vegetables grown this way produce noticeably smaller fruits, but the difference in flavor is minor. Ultra-early, short-fruited, self-pollinating varieties are well suited for these conditions:

• Goosebumps;
• Sail;
• Regina;
• Carmen;
• Crunch.

The minimum container size is 5 liters. The optimal location is a south- or southeast-facing window. When planting, provide drainage in the form of small pebbles or expanded clay. Seeds can be sown as early as January. This way, the first harvest can be ready as early as March.

Fertilize every two weeks. Use a combination of mineral and organic fertilizers in low concentrations. Regular misting is also essential, as it replaces the natural irrigation process of condensation in a greenhouse or dew in the open ground. Diseases and bacteria can develop quickly in small containers. Therefore, regularly treat with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Seedling

In the Moscow region, the seedling method allows for a bountiful harvest, even in less-than-favorable weather, as early as June. Since the early summer months are characterized by the highest light levels but unstable temperatures, it's important to minimize damage to the plant during transplantation. Seedlings planted in auxiliary containers, such as peat pots, coconut shells, or soil bags, thrive much better.

For planting, it's best to use a mixture of peat, sod, soil, humus, and sand in equal proportions. Cucumber seeds should be disinfected and hardened in the refrigerator beforehand. This will help the plants survive sudden cold snaps and temperature fluctuations, which are common in the Moscow region even in the height of summer. After the first seedlings emerge, begin providing them with light. The optimal daylight hours for rapid development are 14 to 16 hours per day. Hardening off begins two weeks before transplanting. First, lower the room temperature to 16-14 degrees Celsius (61-57 degrees Fahrenheit), then place them on the balcony for 3-4 hours at a temperature of no lower than 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) and no higher than 14 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). Otherwise, care for cucumber seedlings is standard, as for any vegetable.

Secrets of care

A moderate climate is favorable for cucumbers; however, alternating rainy and dry seasons and cold nights can cause damage to both the plants and the harvest. Watering should be done with preheated water. When growing indoors, use only filtered or boiled water, as chlorine can damage the root system. Spraying should also be done only with warm water. Cold temperatures slow down foliage development and fruit set.

Near large cities and in densely populated areas, a lack of pollinators often poses a problem. There are simply no insects. In the Moscow region, pollinators are few in number, so either manual pollen transfer methods or attracting insects are necessary. During flowering, spray the plants with a honey solution: 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of warm water. You can also plant cilantro next to the bed in the spring to attract pollinators.

Temperatures drop at night, and by morning, moisture settles on the soil and plants. Therefore, all pruning and shaping should be done early in the morning. During the day, all cuts will dry and close. This reduces the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. diseases.

Harvesting

To stimulate vigorous fruit set and rapid growth, harvesting should begin early. The first cucumbers should be harvested in the greenhouse as early as April or early May, and in the open field as early as the second half of June. Even small fruits should be harvested. During this period, the plant should focus all its energy on intensifying flowering and expanding its vines.

Cucumbers are best harvested early in the morning. Carefully twist the green shoots rather than pull them. This will help avoid damaging the vine or root system of the young plant. During the first month of growth, it's best to harvest every three days, then daily. Careful inspection of the plant is essential. If the plant has many large, yellowed fruits, growth will stop. Once the seeds ripen, this will signal that growth is no longer required, and the plant will gradually wither.

Growing cucumbers in the Moscow region isn't difficult, even for a novice gardener. The weather conditions allow for a bountiful harvest even without cover. If you plant and harden off the seedlings in early spring, you can get an early harvest in June. However, with proper care and adherence to proper growing practices, you can grow strong, resilient plants even from seed. You can harvest your own vegetables year-round in the Moscow region, not only in a greenhouse but also on a windowsill or balcony. Experienced gardeners' advice on care will help you achieve a great harvest and avoid fungal and disease problems.