How to Grow Cucumbers: A Detailed Guide

Cucumbers are classed as fruit in the same family as marrows and squash. They are a climbing plant and therefore take up little space. They need warmth and sunlight and are best grown inside a greenhouse although you can grow them outdoors if you have a sunny spot in a milder location. 

If you want to learn how to grow cucumbers, let us help. From planting, caring for and harvesting, we talk all things cucumbers here! 

If you have experience in growing cucumbers yourself and would like to share your tips, register today and tell us about your experience!  

When and Where to Grow Cucumbers

You can sow cucumber seeds from March indoors, ideally in a propagator or on a sunny windowsill. If you are sowing in an unheated greenhouse, wait until April and May or June if you are sowing outdoors. 

To start with, cucumbers are best off in a greenhouse in grow bags or large containers and they will need support so that they can be trained to climb and help support the heavy glut of fruits your cucumber plant will later produce. 

How and When to Plant Cucumbers

Growing cucumbers in the UK requires attention to soil quality, ensuring it's well-drained and mixed with compost to provide the required nutrition to the plant.

Sow the seeds on their sides, approximately 1/2 inch deep in small pots or trays to begin with. 

Outdoor varieties should be hardened off and be planted May-June in approximately 12-inch circumference holes with rich compost; you can earth it up slightly and use fleece for added protection. Still use the open-ended pot method for watering ensure your positioning is a sunny yet sheltered spot and regularly check for pests. 

They continually require warmth, sunlight, and regular watering.

How to Take Care of a Cucumber Plant

The best method of watering your cucumber plant would be to place an open-ended pot next to the plant to fill with water. This prevents the stem from rotting. 

Keep your growing area humid; water the floor of the greenhouse to create this effect. As your plant grows, look out for green flies, slugs or mildew. 

Pinch out the tips and side shoots to encourage energy used towards the growth of your crops too. Leave two leaves after each cucumber fruit. 

Check whether your plant has male or female flowers - usually, they are female, but you may be required to remove male flowers as they result in bitter-tasting cucumbers. 

When and How to Harvest Cucumbers

While it is fairly obvious, here’s when to pick cucumbers:

Your plant will produce several cucumbers, but you will need to cut a few smaller ones to encourage growth. You don’t want to allow all of the fruit to fully mature, as it will result in a poorer crop. 

When you harvest your cucumbers, do not pull as this will damage the plant. They grow quite quickly so ensure you cut them before turning yellow and over-ripe. Depending on variety and location, they are likely to fruit from mid-summer to mid-autumn.