When the heat soars and the temperature rises, one of the most sought-after summer vegetable is the cucumber. They are not only packed with numerous health benefits but when it comes to germination and harvest, cucumbers are the easiest vegetables to grow from seeds.

Are you a garden enthusiast looking to grow your first batch of cucumbers from seeds? You have made the right choice. They germinate super fast and require low maintenance.

Read on to find out how to successfully grow and harvest healthy cucumbers from seeds by following the below step-by-step guide.

How to grow Cucumbers from Seeds

Growing cucumbers from seeds can result in high fruit production when the right steps are taken during selection, seed starting methods, germination, seedling care, and harvest.

Types of Cucumber Seeds

There are over 100 types of cucumber varieties found in different parts of the world. You can choose them depending on the texture, flavor, or use. Some of the popular cucumber seed varieties you can try are ‘Persian Cucumber Seeds’, ‘Cucumber King of Salad Seeds’, and ‘Straight Eight Cucumber Seeds’. You can also try new varieties like, ‘Lemon Cucumber Seeds’ and ‘Japanese Long Cucumber Seeds’.

Interested in buying seeds online for your garden? Check out Seed World Marketplace for various types of superior quality cucumber seeds and other vegetable seeds at an affordable price.

When to sow Cucumber Seeds

Depending on your region’s weather condition, you can sow cucumber seeds between late spring and early summer (May to June). A week after the last frost you can start sowing cucumber seeds directly into the soil. As for starting seeds indoors, a waiting period of 4-5 weeks can be maintained.

Seed Starting methods for Cucumber Seeds

There are two seed starting methods for Cucumber Seeds: Outdoor planting and starting seeds indoors.

• Outdoor planting:

This method is the easiest for sowing cucumber seeds. Once the seedbed is prepared in the garden, you can directly plant them right out of the packet.

• Starting seeds indoors:

If your area is prone to harsh climatic conditions or the garden soil is not appropriate for growing seeds, you can opt for starting your cucumber seeds indoors.  

Cucumber Seeds Germination time

One of the reasons cucumbers are the easiest vegetable to grow from seeds is because it germinates quickly within 3-10 days, depending on the seed variety. If you’re starting seeds indoors, you can maintain the temperatures between 80-90 degrees with the help of certain garden supplies such as propagation clone trays and heating mats

To directly plant cucumber seeds in the garden, you can check if the ground temperature is at 60 degrees. For faster germination, try soaking the cucumber seeds in warm water for 14-24 hours before planting them in the soil.

Related post: How best to grow plants from seeds | 10 Step Germination

Care Guide for Cucumber Seedlings

Cucumbers are resilient plants as once they adapt to the soil and environment, it doesn’t need much work other than sufficient watering and fertilizers.

• Soil requirement:

Cucumber seedlings grow best in moist and well-draining soil. You can prepare your vegetable patch with sandy loam soil mixed with organic compost. For a good yield, soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 can also be maintained.

• Transplanting Cucumber seedlings:

If your seed starting method is indoors, then once the cucumber seeds have sprouted they can be hardened off and transplanted in the garden. Plant the seedlings 1 inch deep and space them between 36-60 inches apart. If your cucumber is of the vine varieties provide plant trellis netting support with a spacing of 1 foot apart.

•  Light requirement:

Growing cucumber seedlings under the direct sun can help promote the growth of strong vines and healthy cucumbers. If you’re starting seeds indoors, you can use artificial grow lights until they sprout and get transplanted into the garden.

• Water requirement:

Cucumbers need consistent watering to keep the soil moist and seedlings from wilting during the summer season. Providing 1 inch of water per week can help maintain consistency. You can use certain garden supplies such as drip irrigation systems and moisture soil tester to avoid overwatering.

• Fertilizers:

Once the seedlings have adapted to the soil and outside environment and their true leaves emerge, you can start with certain liquid fertilizers.

When to Harvest Cucumbers

Cucumbers can be harvested when they have developed into the right size and are firm to touch. Depending on the cucumber seed type, it can take up to 50-70 days from planting to produce mature cucumbers. Each variety has different attributes; some develop dark green color with the bumpy outer skin, while others are light green with smooth skin. With 95% water content, cucumbers can be your top contender to grow in your garden to beat the summer heat.