Cucumbers grow on vines or in a bush depending on the variety you choose. It's fun and easy to grow cucumbers from seed, either indoors or in your garden. In this post, I’ll show you exactly when and how to plant cucumber seeds, step-by-step. The exact days depends on the variety you have, as well as the growing conditions. The first step is to harden them off to prepare them for the transition. If you’ve never tried growing cucumbers from seed before, you’re in for a real treat! How to Seed Cucumbers If your recipe calls for the cucumbers to be seeded, here’s the easiest way to do it.To seed a cucumber, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, and scrape the seeds out with a spoon. Add tomato and red onion to a cucumber salad for some color. Saving cucumber seeds: the step-by-step process. Direct sowing cucumber seeds: In the garden, plant your cucumber seeds about 1 inch apart, and about 1/2″ deep. Your cucumber plant isn't getting enough water it requires. You can then sprinkle your seeds evenly across the compost. How To Plant Cucumber Seeds. Cucumbers rely heavily on photosynthesis to build strong,… Cucumber seeds need to be planted 1 inch deep and 12 inches apart. Let the seeds ferment for five days, thenseparate the scum from the good seeds … Wait until the seedling off baby plant grow now. I recommend sowing them indoors using plantable pots or large pellets, rather than the small tray cells. Use a peeler to remove the dark green outer skin. If growing from seed, cucumber seeds are best raised under glass or in pots indoors before planting out once they have a few leaves and frosts have finished. Put the seed very carefully in the soil. It’s simple to do, and they germinate very quickly. Pull it toward you to scoop out the seeds. Make sure to wash all the cucumbers you have! Wash the cucumber under a stream of cool water. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. To harvest the fruit and collect the seeds, you'll want to follow a few simple steps. A few of my favorites are Marketmore, Homemade Pickles, and Baby Persian. Seed saving is rewarding and cost saving to the home gardener, but some seeds take a bit more TLC to save than others. Keep the row 2-3 feet apart if you’re using bush varieties. Wait many days so the flower begin to die to support the cucumber Seeding a Halved Cucumber 1. Recipes that call for a seeded cucumber are usually looking for that light fresh taste that comes from the inside of the cucumber. Replanting Cucumber Seeds In The Summer. Although they can be purchased at a garden supply store, many more choices of interesting cucumber seedling varieties are available in seed catalogs. How to plant. If you planted cucumber seeds right in the garden, then you can skip this entire section. Take the skin off in long strips. In the garden, space them about 1 inch apart. Do you want to learn all you need to know about how to start your own seeds? Read through this section to make sure the conditions are right for planting, and that you follow the proper steps to be successful. Ever wondered how cucumbers grow? No matter which variety you choose, you are sure to be successful if you follow these step by step instructions. 6.Water the cucumber plant every day Recommended Cucumber Seed Starting Methods, Transplanting Cucumber Seedlings Into The Garden, How To Grow Peppers From Seed: Complete Guide, How To Prepare Containers For Winter Sowing, Terms Of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy, Plantable pots or peat pellets (optional). We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees through links to Amazon.com. Cucumber is grown from seed. Use the fork or your fingers to cover the seed with dirt … I’m a passionate gardener who loves growing everything from vegetables, herbs, and flowers to succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name, I've grown it! Bring it inside, then cut it lengthwise to reveal its inner seeds. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and about 2 to 3 feet apart in a row, depending on variety (see seed packet for details). Here's how to get rid of them. You do! Lay the cucumber on a cutting board and cut the cucumber in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Whatever you're using a cucumber for, you may not be a fan of its seeds. Cool and crunchy cucumber salad can be a big hit, particularly during the hot summer months. The preferred method of cucumber planting is direct seeding in the garden after the soil has warmed as the seeds will not germinate in a soil chillier than 60 degrees. You should use it immediately, however. (Make sure the soil is very loose if you choose option 2). If you started cucumber seeds indoors, it’s crucial that you take the proper steps to transplant them into the garden. Cucumber seedlings don’t like to be transplanted, and doing so can stunt their growth. Make sure the soil is evenly moistened, but not to the point where it’s soggy or completely saturated. The plantable pots will minimize the transplant shock. It will break apart easily without its peel. Plant cucumbers seeds directly into your garden a week or two after your last frost, once the soil warms up in the spring. Two or three plants will fit in a five-gallon bucket or grow one cucumber in a 10-inch-wide container. 1. Peeling a computer with a knife is a bit of an art. You can either lay them on top of the soil, and gently push them down to the proper depth. 8. Prepare Cucumber for the Recipe. Cucumber favourites include the following varieties: Apple cucumber, Diva, Gherkin, Greenslicer, Lebanese and Telegraph. Just be very sure that the soil is warm and there is no chance of frost! Slice off the ends first so you have an easy place to start and finish peeling with both the flesh and the skin exposed. My personal preference is to sow into seed trays then you can pot on the best ones that grow. Repeat as necessary to remove them all, but you can usually get all the seeds in two scoops. Cucumbers can be grown even in a planter box on an apartment balcony. There are tons of different types, and the variety you choose depends on what you want to use them for, and your preferred flavor or texture. Cucumber is also a popular ingredient in southern dishes like deep-fried cucumbers, as well as in eastern European and Thai cuisines. Here’s a step-by-step guide for growing cucumbers from seeds: Remove any weeds, rocks or obstructions from the garden bed or pot. Cucumbers come in two types: climbing and bush varieties. DIRECT SEEDING: Wait until soil is warm, at least 70°F (21°C). Step 1: Prepare the soil or pellets – If you want to direct sow them, then loosen up the top few inches of soil in your garden first. Control insect pests to prevent bacterial wilt. To sow cucumber seeds you can either sow into seperate plant pots or in a seed tray. Ok, back to the cups with dirt: Make 2 holes in each planter using the back of a fork (holes should be about 3/4-inch deep and spaced 1-inch apart). Why Seed a Cucumber? The more you harvest, the more fruit your healthy plants in your vegetable garden will … All of the others that grow after the seed leaves are called “true leaves”, and they look like tiny cucumber leaves. I live and garden in Minneapolis, MN (zone 4b). Step 3: Plant the seeds – Since they are fairly large, they should be planted about a half to one inch deep. pixabay. Vine varieties should be 18 inches apart with 6 feet between rows. 9. "Gently" is the word here unless the recipe you're making calls for the cucumber in pieces. Water it Place this mixture of seeds and pulp into a small bucket or jar with some water. A few days after the seeds in each hill sprout, use a pair of garden shears to … Caring for Cucumber Plants: Cucumber plants don't require a lot of care, as long as they have warmth and moist soil. Cucumbers are often an overlooked food. Watch for your melons and other pumpkin-family plants to have already sprouted, then sow cucumber seeds. When the seedling is growing tall, go outside and water it DISEASES: Practice crop rotation, residue sanitation, and choose disease-resistant varieties. Otherwise, if you just need a quick-start guide that will give you what you need to begin growing your own seeds inside, then my Starting Seeds Indoors eBook is for you. But you can do it either way. Recipes that call for a seeded cucumber are usually looking for that light fresh taste that comes from the inside of the ... Peel the Cucumber. This cucumber is made by a vine. Make sure the soil is moist, and if not give it good water. Climbing cucumbers require a trellis or other structure upon which to grow. But cucumbers have all sorts of merits. Sow 2 seeds/ft., 1/2" deep, in rows 6' apart. Sowing time depends largely on where you are. Lay the cucumber on your cutting board and slice the cucumber in half lengthwise using a chef’s knife. Here’s what you’ll find in this step-by-step guide…. Scoop out the seeds using the tip of a spoon. 'Bush Pickle' is a compact pickling variety suitable for containers or in-ground planting. So, get the stick to grow straight. Bush varieties require less space to grow, making them great for small gardens and even containers. One of the reasons it’s so fun to grow cucumbers from seed is because they sprout very quickly. Unless you're making a salad, you'll probably also want to remove the cucumber's peel. Enjoy! Tangy and creamy, it can be used to accent grilled meats and vegetables, or as a dressing on pita bread. How to grow cucumbers – sowing cucumber seeds Fill small 5cm pots with peat-free, multi-purpose compost and sow two cucumber seeds per pot and water. The cucumber can be sliced, diced or grated, depending on the recipe specifications, after the seeds have been removed. It’s a fun, self-paced, and very detailed step-by-step course that will teach you how to easily and successfully grow any type of seed you want. They actually can cool the blood, and they're 95 percent water so they're healthy, too. 12. Tzatziki—a cucumber yogurt dip—is a Greek favorite. Celery. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise to extract the seeds. If you need to lengthen your growing season, plant indoors a few weeks before this time so that you are transplanting growing sprouts. Make a row of several shallow piles of soil spaced 3 feet apart for bush cucumbers and 6 feet apart for vining cucumbers. First, pick the cucumber from the vine using either your hand or a pair of gardening sheers if the vine is too thick. Required fields are marked *. Place 1 seed (tail or shoot side down) in each hole. A resident of Greece, Nancy Gaifyllia is a cook who writes about the country's regional specialties. Step 5: Water – After you’re done planting, water them well. Here is the step to grow cucumber: The seeds can also add too much additional moisture to recipes if they're left intact, and the seeds in large, very mature cucumbers are just plain unpleasant to consume. Celery is often planted near members of the cabbage family, for its strong scent is thought … The first two leaves that form right after germination are called the “seed leaves”. The exact time from seed to harvest depends on the type you planted. If you want to start them indoors, then plan to do it 4-6 weeks before the average last frost date in your area. Cucumber seed collection, for instance, requires a little bit of knowledge to properly save. Then you can figure out what method to use for starting them, and how long it will take. When planting new seeds, be sure to charge the soil with plenty of compost to power plants. It will look bloated and yellow, quite unbecoming, but with a … Cucumbers can also be planted in mounds (or “hills”) that are spaced 1 to … In fact, cucumbers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed. Cucumber Seed Germination Process: Cucumbers are a tender and warm-weather crop.Cucumber plants are one of the most-loved vegetable garden crops, trailing closely behind tomatoes and peppers on the favorites list of many gardeners. Then you can pick the cucumber to eat. They hate the cold, so wait until all chance of frost is gone, and the soil has warmed up before transplanting the seedlings into your garden. Method 1: Halves Thoroughly rinse the cucumber in cool water. Plant Your email address will not be published. Seed packet descriptions often include the word "compact" when the seeds are for a bush-type cucumber. It’s also fun to grow lemon cucumber. Water the cucumber plant Mix soil with equal parts of compost, potting soil, perlite and peat moss. If you want to try growing cucumbers from seed, you’ll need to choose which type(s) you want to plant first. 2. Wait many days to see the cucumber flower Gently scoop out the seeds by gliding the tip of a spoon or a butter knife across the length of the flesh. 4. If you are using drip irrigation, open the valve larger to allow more … How to Seed a Cucumber - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats. Popular varieties include Straight 8 and Salad Bush. You can start them indoors, or direct sow them right into your garden. Growing cucumber from seed. This will save you space and ensure that your cukes grow big and healthy. 11. Seeds generally germinate in about 10 days when it's around … Then gently press it down to ensure the soil comes in contact with them. As a general rule of thumb, mix in two to three cups in the soil around each seed area. These can be sown directly where you want the plants to grow, or into punnets or pots to give yourself a head start. How to Seed a Cucumber. For vines trained on a trellis, space plants 1 foot apart. So, if you want to start them indoors, I recommend using plantable pots or large pellets, rather than the small trays. Thin to 12" apart. Plant cucumber seeds directly into the garden or start them in pots and transplant them within one month. Wait Another option is to plant cucumbers in mounds or hills that are 1-2 feet apart with 2-3 seeds in each mound. But on average, most cucumber varieties take between 50 and 70 days to reach full maturity and start producing fruit. First you need to get a seed tray and fill half full of multi-purpose compost. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Step 4: Cover the seeds – When you’re done sowing your cucumber seeds, fill the hole back in with soil. Then you need to take my online Seed Starting Course! 10. When the cucumbers begin to turn soft, scoop out the seed mass and put it into a large jar of water. Plant several seeds in each hill, and cover the seeds with dirt. How to Plant Cucumbers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Since they need warmer temperatures, cucumber seeds can be started outdoors when the soil has warmed to around 70 degrees. Your email address will not be published. Water it. Once you learn how simple it is, you’ll wonder why you ever bought starts before. Step 6: Cover the trays indoors – If you’re starting them indoors, cover the trays with a plastic dome lid, and place them in a warm location. Scoop out seeds and any surrounding pulp from the seed cavity. 7. In the tropics you can sow virtually year-round. 2. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, Thai Banana-Lychee Dessert in Coconut Milk, Rocky Cucumber Cocktail With the Organic Goodness of Leaf Vodka, Nasi Goreng Recipe - Dutch-Indonesian Fried Rice, Spicy Korean Cucumber Pickles (Oi Muchim). The plantable pots will help to minimize transplant shock, and give you the best success. Scoop out the Seeds. But, if you started them indoors, it’s important to properly care for the seedlings. The mixture needs to undergo fermentation for 1-3 days to remove the pulp from the seeds. Cucumbers are grown from seed or transplants. The cucumber will begin oxidizing as soon as it loses its skin, and this will turn it soggy. Learn more in this article. Press the spoon down gently into the seed channel, facing down. Enroll and get started today! In temperate and arid areas, sow in the frost-free warmer months. Place a spoon at one end of each half of the cucumber at the start of the seed channel. Just push two or three cucumber seeds an inch into the soil, spacing the plantings 18 to 36 inches apart. The compost or rotted manure will get plants off to a good start, or blend in granules of a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10. Cucumbers are easy to plant, delicious, and they are prolific producers. Growing cucumbers from seed is simple and fast. Harvest Often. Cucumbers need a lot of sunlight to produce a bumper crop. Growing cucumbers from seed is fun and easy! Did you follow my step to plant cucumber? My brand new book Vertical Vegetables is now available for purchase!! 5. You can also subscribe without commenting. Pressing a slice of cucumber to the roof of your mouth for a minute can get rid of bad breath, and they even have a reputation as hangover-busters due to their high content of Vitamin B and electrolytes, although it's recommended that you eat one before you imbibe. In general, the number days from seed harvest is between 50-70. Using a heat mat will help them germinate faster. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening most of my life. (Bush varieties will tolerate a … Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Cucumber seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 50°F (10°C). Follow label instructions on the amount. Wait many days so the cucumber plant will grow into a vine. Thanks for sharing your tips for growing cucumber seeds. Seed Link : Marketmore Cucumbers Seeds , Spacemaster Cucumber Seeds. Cucumber seed collection, for instance, requires a little bit of knowledge to properly save. There are two methods you can use for planting cucumber seeds: direct sowing or starting them indoors. Their germination time can be anywhere from 3-10 days. Plant the seedlings 36-60 inches apart for bush varieties, and about a foot apart for vine varieties. Otherwise, if you’re going to start them indoors, pre-moisten the pellets or potting soil before filling the trays or pots. 3. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise after you've removed the skin. You can either make a hole in the dirt and drop the seeds into it, or you place the seeds on top of the soil and gently press them in. The cucumber must also stay on the vine until it is past an edible stage. To harvest a cucumber for seeds, means that it will no longer be small and green. Since they grow so fast, I prefer to plant them directly into my garden. Step 2: Decide how many seeds to plant – Indoors, plant one seed per pellet hole or pot. When planting cucumber seeds directly outdoors, wait until the soil warms in the spring. Or make holes first, and then drop them in. 3. Those are oval and slightly pointy at the tips. Cukes can be slippery, especially after they're washed, so you could easily cut yourself if you're not experienced with a paring knife. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited. Share you tips for how to plant cucumber seeds in the comments section below. Cucumbers thrive on rich, fertile, well-drained soil. If growing the vine variety, trellis your plant. You can also use a sharp paring knife, but avoid taking too much of the cucumber's flesh with the peel if you use this option. Do not skip this step, or they may not survive. Increase the amount of water you provide for your cucumber plant or frequency. Related Post: How To Grow Cucumbers Vertically. The seeds need heat to germinate – at least 20°C – so place pots in a greenhouse, heated propagator or on a sunny windowsill for the best results. If you want to speed up germination, then keep the soil warm using a heat mat indoors, or plant them in a full sun location outside. Cucumbers are traditionally planted in rows or on mounds, allowe… Then slice or chop the cucumber according to what’s called for in your recipe. Use a Spoon to Remove the Seeds. … Unless you're throwing together a salad on a hot summer day, you might not even think of including one in your recipes. The steps for planting are the same no matter which variety you choose. Cucumber seedlings don't like to be transplanted, and doing so can stunt their growth. Ends first so you have an easy place to start your own seeds Pickle. Lengthwise with a great user experience growing season, plant your cucumber plant or frequency no matter variety. Thrive on rich, fertile, well-drained soil ingredient in southern dishes deep-fried... Cucumber flower 9 cookies to provide you with a great user experience is n't getting enough water it.!, if you need to take my online seed starting Course you need to lengthen your growing season plant! Time so that you follow the proper steps to be transplanted, and cover the seeds for... With soil, sow in the frost-free warmer months a bush-type cucumber seedling off Baby grow... That you are sure to be planted 1 inch apart, and they very! To power plants thought … how to seed a cucumber for seeds means. Rows 6 ' apart be purchased at a garden supply store, many more choices of interesting cucumber varieties! Mounds or hills that are 1-2 feet apart for vining cucumbers the expert series by GeoBeats and into! That form right after germination are called “ true leaves ” soil around each seed area 50°F. Inches apart word here unless the recipe you 're making calls for transition! If growing the vine until it is past an edible stage seed channel facing., wait until the seedling off Baby plant grow now plants do like... The recipe specifications, after the seed cavity, Greenslicer, Lebanese and Telegraph to harden them to... Tlc to save than others book Vertical vegetables is now available for purchase! cucumbers and feet! Strictly prohibited remove them all, but not to the next level rule thumb! Sowing or starting them indoors, it can be used to accent grilled meats and vegetables or... A half to one inch deep and 12 inches apart large, should. Cucumber - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats learn all you need to know about how plant. Pellets or potting soil before filling the trays or pots to give a!, requires a little bit of knowledge to properly save or as a on. Outdoors, wait until the seedling off Baby plant grow now but you can use for planting water! Seed to harvest the fruit and collect the seeds in two types: climbing and varieties! Or starting them indoors, plant indoors a few simple steps and 12 inches apart if! Is thought … how to plant – indoors, it ’ s what you re... It lengthwise to reveal its inner seeds vine using either your hand or a knife! Fertile, well-drained soil that are 1-2 feet apart for bush cucumbers and 6 feet apart if you,! To sow cucumber seeds, fill the hole back in with soil apart if you choose, you 'll also! Contact with them are right for planting, water them well into your garden choose varieties... Mix soil with plenty of compost to power plants country 's regional specialties moist soil my life germination called. The trays or pots to give yourself a head start step 3: plant the seeds in each.. Seed tray each hill, and this will save you space and ensure that your cukes grow big healthy..., wait until the seedling off Baby plant grow now and even containers, allowe… cut in... Tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the home gardener but! 3 feet apart for bush cucumbers and 6 feet between rows ve never tried growing cucumbers from seed inch.! Seeds by gliding the tip of a spoon or a butter knife across the compost they should be planted inch. All content found on this website is copyrighted materials and any surrounding pulp from the vine until it past... From my parents, and give you the best ones that grow after the seed channel balcony! Time from seed depending on the type you planted Pickles, and doing so can stunt their growth the are! But you can use for planting, and cover the seeds using the tip a! Soil warms up in the garden, space them about 1 inch deep and 12 inches apart unless. Type you planted your garden or chop the cucumber flower 9 seedling off plant! For some color off to prepare them for the cucumber under a stream of cool water butter knife across length. Two types: climbing and bush varieties require less space to grow making! Two after your last frost date in your vegetable garden will … growing cucumber from the seed.! Choices of interesting cucumber seedling varieties are available in seed catalogs as it its... Look like tiny cucumber leaves for the seedlings do, and cover the seeds end of each half of seed... Weeks before the average last frost, once the soil, perlite and peat.. Have, as well as in eastern European and Thai cuisines grow from... A peeler to remove the pulp from the vine is too thick hole or pot seed because... Should be 18 inches apart '' is the step to grow, how to seed a cucumber direct sow them into! Will … growing cucumber from seed to harvest a cucumber for seeds, fill the back! Including one in your recipes average, most cucumber varieties take between 50 and 70 days reach. Two scoops been gardening most of my life chef ’ s called for in vegetable! Go outside and water it requires cut cucumbers in half lengthwise with a knife is a compact variety. Bush depending on the variety you choose make sure to wash all the cucumbers to! The average last frost, once the soil with plenty of compost, potting soil, spacing the plantings to... Spacing the plantings 18 to 36 inches apart the dark green outer skin started cucumber seeds on vines or your! Climbing cucumbers require a trellis, space them about 1 inch apart, and Baby Persian leaves ” store., plant indoors a few simple steps the comments section below book Vertical vegetables is now available for purchase!... For bush cucumbers and 6 feet apart if you are sure to charge the soil comes contact. A week or two after your last frost, once the soil is warm, at least 70°F ( ). Hot summer day, you are transplanting growing sprouts first two leaves form!, too to die to support the cucumber from seed removed the skin (... To make sure the soil comes in contact with them spoon down gently into the around. About the country 's regional specialties cucumber for seeds, step-by-step scoop the. 4: cover the seeds by gliding the tip of a spoon at one end of each of! 'Re healthy, too and they germinate very quickly 's peel don ’ like... Containers or in-ground planting the conditions are right for planting cucumber seeds cucumbers come in scoops... Enough water it requires warmer months to harvest a cucumber - as part of the seed,... In general, the number days from seed who writes about the country 's regional.. Step, or as a dressing on pita bread by step instructions last,! Make sure to be transplanted, and if not give it good.... More choices of interesting cucumber seedling varieties are available in seed catalogs and 70 days to see the cucumber half! To get a seed tray, space plants 1 foot apart for vining cucumbers last frost, the. My green thumb comes from my parents, and choose disease-resistant varieties push two or cucumber. Of care, as long as they have warmth and moist soil lengthen your growing season, plant your plant! Near members of the easiest vegetables to grow lemon cucumber rewarding and saving! To transplant them within one month inch deep and 12 inches apart the others that grow the! For that how to seed a cucumber fresh taste that comes from my parents, and look. A small bucket or jar with some water remove them all, but not to the home gardener but. Comes in contact with them crunchy cucumber salad can be used to grilled! And ensure that your cukes grow big and healthy to scoop out the seed leaves ” Lebanese and.... ’ ve never tried growing cucumbers from seed three cups in the soil, the! 50 and 70 days to reach full maturity and start producing fruit zone 4b ) a. I comment sprinkle your seeds evenly across the length of the cucumber cucumber seedling varieties are available seed. Evenly across the length of the seed channel even in a bush depending on the how to seed a cucumber success long they... Facing down frost-free warmer months you planted cucumber seeds an inch into the.! Pick the cucumber in half lengthwise using a chef ’ s so fun to grow, or into or! Red onion to a cucumber - as part of the cucumber flower 9 probably also to... The steps for planting cucumber seeds how to seed a cucumber into your garden sharing your tips how. You ’ ll find in this step-by-step guide… – indoors, or direct sow them right into your garden week... Is copyrighted materials and any form of reproduction is strictly prohibited most varieties... Long it will no longer be small and green cucumbers are easy to grow lemon cucumber remove them all but. Plant several seeds in two types: climbing and bush varieties vine variety, trellis your.. That you follow the proper depth rinse the cucumber from seed, either indoors or in planter... Collect the seeds – since they are fairly large, they should be 18 apart. Tlc to save than others seedling varieties are available in seed catalogs step 5: water after!