Cucumbers don’t require a lot of care, but it must be consistent. They typically like temperatures between 75-85 degrees, 6-8 hours per day of full sun, well-draining soil and at least one inch of water per week (more in hotter climates). Water at the plant base to reduce the risk of fungal development — drip irrigation is excellent for this. Use straw mulch to assist with moisture retention and pest deterrence.

With vining varieties, adding a trellis or other support structure will encourage the plants to climb. This keeps the fruits off the ground, reducing pests and rot while using space more efficiently. Nevertheless, monitor carefully for signs of pests and diseases and apply the appropriate remedies. Common disruptors include cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, powdery mildew, and cucumber mosaic virus.

In most regions, cucumber seeds must be started indoors as the seeds will not germinate in cold temperatures. Begin 3-4 weeks before the final anticipated spring frost and sow 1-2 seeds per container or tray cell about a half-inch deep. Use a well-draining seed starter mix and maintain temperatures of 70-80 degrees with moist (but not soggy) soil. Because cucumbers are highly affected by frost, wait until the final threat has passed before planting or transplanting.

In-ground planting can be done two weeks after the last spring frost. Create hills or mounds about six feet apart, water the soil thoroughly and plant seeds with six inches of spacing. You can thin the seedlings to 12 inches apart once most have three true leaves. For crop rotation, plant cucumbers where you had cole crops the previous season.

Bush cucumbers are well-suited to containers, but you can grow vining cucumbers in pots as well with proper support. Get pots at least five gallons large with good draining. Use potting soil and focus on more compact varieties for space efficiency.

Slightly acidic, rich soil will yield the finest cucumber bounty. Add plenty of organic matter and a balanced fertilizer to the soil when planting or transplanting. From there, apply balanced or fruit-specific fertilizer approximately every two weeks. If you’re using a liquid fertilizer, dilute it to half-strength for young plants and container plants to prevent burning. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as this can inhibit calcium, leading to blossom-end rot.

As annual plants, winterization is mainly a consideration for container cucumbers and regions where winter growing is possible. Bring potted cucumber plants indoors before the first fall frost and keep them in a warm, well-lit area. For garden cucumbers, cover them with plastic or fabric and add mulch for insulation. Secure the edges of the covers and don’t let them touch the leaves.

Climbing vine cucumbers are the main varieties that need pruning. Removing excess foliage, branches and vine growth throughout the season will direct vines upward and prevent them from sprawling onto other plants. If you want to remove a new growth point, do so before it reaches two inches long.

Cucumbers take 50-70 days to mature. Each variety has a different target size and color. To harvest, cut the stem a quarter-inch above the fruit; do not twist or pull. Harvesting frequently will spur new cucumbers to grow whereas infrequent harvesting can make fruits bitter.