Planting cucumber seedlings in open ground: step-by-step instructions

For gardeners, planting cucumber seedlings in open ground is the most challenging stage of growing cucumbers. Planting them follows specific rules that are unfamiliar to beginning vegetable growers. Therefore, before you start growing cucumbers, you need to study the specifics of the procedure.

Why are cucumbers transplanted?

In some regions, cucumbers are planted directly from seeds into the soil. However, gardeners also often grow seedlings indoors and then transplant them into open ground or a greenhouse. Another option is to grow the plants in a greenhouse and then transfer them to the garden.

Cucumbers are primarily grown from seedlings in regions with long springs and fluctuating temperatures, and short summers. Therefore, planting seeds directly into the soil in these areas runs the risk of not getting a good harvest.

Furthermore, if cucumber seeds are planted directly in open ground, they may sprout densely. If this occurs, they need to be spaced apart, otherwise the plants will interfere with each other as they grow.

Germination of seeds

Seeds purchased from a store don't require treatment, as they've already undergone all the necessary processing and disinfection steps. However, if you're harvesting from your own garden, you'll need to prepare them before planting.

The first thing you need to do is heat them for 2-3 hours at 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). It's best to use an oven for this. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the seeds on top in a thin layer. Stir them several times during the process.

Next, the seeds need to be soaked. Therefore, they are placed in a solution for 12 hours, prepared using the following ingredients:

• manganese sulfate - 0.2 g;
• potassium nitrate - 10 g;
• superphosphate 5 g;
• water – 1 l.

The ingredients should be dissolved in a liquid at a temperature of 40-45 degrees Celsius. Dip the seeds in warm water, just enough to lightly cover their surface. This will allow the seeds to "breathe" and improve germination.

The next step is to harden the seeds. To do this, wrap them in a damp cloth and leave them in the refrigerator for two days at a temperature between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius.

After the procedure, the container with the sowing material, wrapped in gauze or cotton cloth, should be moved to a warm place (20 degrees Celsius). It's important to moisten it periodically with plain water or the solution in which the seeds were soaked. Be careful not to overdo the liquid, as this can damage the seeds. The seeds will germinate in 48-72 hours and should be planted immediately.

Moreover, for the crop to develop properly, it requires soil. Therefore, it's necessary to prepare everything in advance for planting the sprouted seeds, choosing the location and timing for the procedure.

Growing seedlings

Growing cucumbers from seedlings allows you to obtain ripe fruit much sooner than sowing seeds directly into the ground. This method is especially suitable in northern regions. Furthermore, it extends the fruiting period.

You can prepare the soil for planting seedlings yourself in advance or buy it ready-made at a flower shop. In the first case, mix peat, humus, turf, and cow manure in a ratio of 5:3:1:1.

To plant seeds, gardeners use cups filled with soil. The container can be made of plastic, paper, or peat, but it should be at least 70 x 70 mm in size. If the container is paper or peat, the seedlings can be transplanted into open ground without removing them from the cup.

You can also grow seedlings from seeds in boxes. The distance within a row should be at least 20-30 mm, and between rows, 60-80 mm. In this case, you can transplant the seeds later. The depth at which the seeds should be planted should not exceed 20-30 mm. Avoid planting them too deeply, as germination will be delayed.

Typically, two, sometimes three, seeds are planted per container. Lightly compact the soil on top and water with room-temperature water.

Next, cover the containers with plastic wrap to ensure all seedlings emerge simultaneously. For seed germination, the indoor microclimate should be maintained at a temperature no higher than 28°C and no lower than 26°C. Open the containers after the first seedlings appear and lower the temperature to 20°C during the day and 16°C at night for four days. After this period, the thermometer reading should be raised by five degrees.

To prevent the plants from stretching, they require additional lighting. Therefore, a special lamp is installed near the seedlings to provide light in the absence of sunlight.

Fertilizing cucumbers is also important. Fertilize for the first time after two true leaves appear. Ammonium nitrate is used as a fertilizer, which has a beneficial effect on plant growth. After two weeks, repeat the process, but use a phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. To do this, dissolve 80 g of the substance in a bucket of water.

Water the plants only with warm water. Although cucumbers are moisture-loving plants, overwatering can cause mold or root rot.

To avoid any confusion about when to plant cucumber seedlings outdoors, remember that the procedure is carried out 30-35 days after the first shoots emerge. During this period, the roots will fill the entire container, which is a sign of good nutrition and plant health.

How to prepare seedlings

Before planting cucumbers in the garden, the plants need to be properly prepared. First, they need to be hardened off to prevent the seedlings from dying. This should be done approximately 7 days before transplanting. To achieve this, the plants should be left outdoors initially during the day. Then, increase their time outdoors and harden off even at night.

However, cucumbers should not be left in areas exposed to direct UV rays. The seedlings should be kept in the shade. You can also intentionally shade them during peak solar activity. This approach will make transplanting cucumber seedlings less painful for the plants, as they will acclimate to temperature fluctuations.

Soil preparation

When transplanting cucumbers into open ground, you should use pre-prepared soil. Prepare a soil mixture for this procedure using:

• Peat – experienced gardeners recommend planting seedlings in soil with the required peat content. This loosens the soil and allows moisture to reach the plant roots better. If the soil lacks peat or lacks it altogether, the plants will not receive the life-giving moisture and will die.
• Humus – transplanted cucumbers will grow better in soil enriched with humus. This ingredient makes any type of soil fertile and nourishes it. If planted seedlings wilt, it means they are lacking nutrients. Therefore, humus should be added to the soil approximately 20-30 days before transplanting. You can also add fresh manure to each bed. The depth should be 60-80 mm;
• Leaf soil – it's important to mix the soil with leaf soil. This can be collected in deciduous forests.

When planting cucumbers, it's also necessary to treat the soil for diseases and pests. Gardeners use a solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect the soil. To prepare it, dilute 1 g of the solution in 20 liters of liquid. To get rid of pathogens in the fall and spring, use phytosporin.

Landing dates

Not everyone knows when to transplant cucumbers permanently. It's best to begin this process 30 days after planting the seeds in cups. If the crop is growing in a greenhouse, you can begin planting the sprouted seedlings as early as April. The weather must be warm, otherwise the plants will die from frost. When daytime temperatures reach 18 degrees Celsius, cucumbers can be planted. This approach will increase the number of established plants.

The procedure should be carried out after the soil has warmed to 16 degrees Celsius. If this rule is ignored and the seedlings are planted in open ground earlier, the plant roots will not be able to absorb moisture from the soil.

The timing of planting seedlings also depends on the location to which they will be transferred:

• in a polycarbonate greenhouse - mid-April;
• to the beds in the greenhouse - in May;
• to open beds - in June.

Some gardeners also determine seedlings' readiness for transplanting by their growth. Experts are divided on this point: some believe the plant should develop 3-4 true leaves, while others hold the opposite opinion.

How to plant cucumber seedlings in open ground

Planting cucumber seedlings in the ground is a complex process that requires advance preparation. However, if done correctly, following the advice of growers, the vegetable can be transplanted without harm.

The only way to properly transplant cucumbers into open ground is by using seedlings. This process is closely tied to soil temperature. This vegetable thrives in warmth, so it's best not to plant it in cold soil. Therefore, before planting the seeds in containers, choose a time when the soil is already well warmed.

It's best to transplant seedlings at 25-30 days, when the plant has at least two true leaves and a well-developed root system. This will ensure proper planting without damaging the roots.

To ensure healthy plant growth, you need to prepare seedling holes first. The distance between plants depends on the variety:

• low-growing cucumbers – maximum 5 plants per 1 sq.m.;
• tall – 4 bushes per 1 sq.m.

Once the holes are prepared, remove each seedling from its container along with the soil it was growing in. This will preserve the root system. Afterwards, fill the holes with soil and water with room-temperature water.

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Cucumber seedlings should be planted in open ground when the soil warms up to 13 degrees Celsius. This temperature should be at a depth of 12 cm. Additionally, you should add fertilizer to the soil and loosen it.

14 days before moving the vegetable to a new location, you need to fertilize the soil:

• ammonium nitrate - 25 g;
• superphosphate - 40 g;
• potassium sulfate - 20 g;
• ash – 40 g, if the soil acidity is high.

The procedure should be carried out in the evening or on a cloudy day, but the temperature should not fall below 24 degrees Celsius or rise above 28 degrees Celsius. If cold weather is expected, the cucumbers should be kept warm.

Further care

Working with cucumber seedlings doesn't end after planting. Now they need proper care to ensure a good harvest.

Watering

Cucumber seedlings need to be watered regularly. This should be done with warm water and always at the roots.

On a normal day, watering is required once every seven days. However, in the summer heat, watering should be doubled. The recommended rate is 10 liters per square meter. This process affects the taste of the product, so if neglected, the vegetable will become bitter.

If cucumbers are growing in clay soil, water them infrequently, but with plenty of liquid. If they are growing in sandy loam or light soil, water frequently, but in small amounts.

Lighting

After transplanting, seedlings should be shaded for the first seven days to avoid direct sunlight. Netting, cardboard, film, and other coverings can be used for this purpose. This creates a vapor effect, allowing the plants to adapt to the new conditions more quickly. However, this reduces the amount of ventilation available to the soil, which can lead to plant death due to high temperatures.

To support cucumber vines, vegetable growers use trellises. Plants entwined on them will receive the necessary amount of sunlight.

Top dressing

It needs to be in the ground constantly apply fertilizersTo prevent seedlings from wilting and drooping, cucumbers need to be fertilized 3-4 times over the summer. The first time this procedure should be carried out is 14 days after planting the plants in open ground. For this purpose, gardeners use chicken manure. ash, mullein. If necessary, mineral fertilizers can be added to the soil: urea, potassium sulfate, superphosphate. During fruit formation, fertilize the soil twice as often.

Nitrogen fertilizers should be diluted at a rate of 10 g per bucket of water. It's best to use them in the evening. It's not recommended to feed during the day to avoid leaf burn.

During fruiting, a natural fertilizer is the best option. To prepare it, stir 1 liter of cow manure into a bucket of water and let it ferment for 48 hours. Before use, dilute the resulting mixture at a ratio of 1 liter per bucket of liquid.

Pinching and Garter

Another important procedure for growing vegetables is pinching. Gardeners perform this several times per season. The first time it's necessary is when the second true leaf is forming.

After the ninth leaf emerges, the procedure should be repeated. This should be done carefully, as it is always stressful for the plants.

Another aspect worth paying attention to is staking the vegetable. This makes harvesting much easier and helps prevent many diseases. To staking, I install supports of any material near each bush in advance. A rope with the main stem of the plant is tied to these supports.

Diseases of cucumber seedlings

Cucumber seedlings can get sick due to:

• soil deficiency - this situation is observed when the plant is grown in small cups, peat tablets, etc. The root system does not have enough soil, which is reflected in yellowed leaves;
• lack of minerals - if the soil is depleted, then the situation will be corrected by adding fertilizer;
• excess nitrogen;
• excessive or insufficient watering;
• lack of sunlight or frost - in this case, it is important to provide proper lighting;
• pests;
• Powdery mildew - appears at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius with a plus sign and high humidity;
• downy mildew - a fungal infection;
• sclerotinia, etc.

Crop damage can occur both during the cultivation of seedlings and after their transplantation into the soil.

Possible problems

Gardeners may encounter various challenges when growing cucumbers. The most common are:

1. The fruits stick out - this is a sign of moisture deficiency.
2. The leaves are turning yellow – the seedlings are sick or lack nutrients.
3. The root system freezes—this scenario is possible if the plants were planted in a shallow hole—no more than 5 cm deep. This shallow depth does not provide protection from frost.

Moreover, in a new location, plants suffer from illnesses for a long time, making adaptation difficult. Therefore, it's important to feed cucumbers.

Properly transplanting cucumbers into the ground requires some effort and the advice of experienced gardeners. You can also watch a video that demonstrates the entire procedure in detail.