How to Grow Cucumber From Seed

Nothing’s quite like the taste of home-grown cucumbers fresh from the garden. Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, cucumbers are an ideal addition to your summer veggie patch. 

While they might not look as polished as the store-bought variety, their sweet, refreshing flavour makes up for it. Home-grown cucumbers are so delicious that even the kids can’t resist eating them straight off the vine!

Cucumbers are creepers, so they require some space or vertical support. Training them to grow on a trellis is perfect for those with smaller raised garden beds or limited space. 

Cucumbers are prolific growers and will thrive between July and March in warmer climates and between September and January in temperate zones. Though they do need some care, these green beauties will help you stay as "cool as a cucumber" during the hot summer months!

The many health benefits of cucumber

Cucumbers aren't just a tasty snack—they’re also packed with health benefits that make them a great addition to your diet. Since they’re made up of 96% water, cucumbers are a fantastic way to stay hydrated, particularly for kids who are too busy playing to remember to drink enough water. The high water content also makes cucumbers low in calories, making them a great option for a light, healthy snack.

In addition to hydration, cucumbers are a good source of several important nutrients, including:

• Vitamin K: Essential for bone health and blood clotting.
   
• Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and helps protect the skin from damage.
   
• Beta-carotene: An antioxidant that supports eye health.
   
• Silica: Important for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Cucumber slices are also a natural remedy for soothing tired eyes. Placing cool cucumber slices over your eyelids helps reduce puffiness and refreshes the skin, making them a go-to for quick beauty treatments.
 

What you’ll need for a successful harvest

Before you plant cucumbers, gathering all the necessary tools and supplies is essential. This will ensure a smooth growing process and a healthy crop. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cucumber seeds from your local nursery (choose varieties suited to your climate, such as ‘Lebanese’ or ‘Marketmore’ for temperate regions).
   
• A high-quality potting mix enriched with organic compost ensures the soil retains moisture while providing adequate drainage.
   
• Watering can or garden hose with a gentle spray attachment to avoid damaging the delicate seedlings.
   
• Liquid seaweed concentrate is a natural tonic that promotes root growth and overall plant health.
   
• Organic mulch (lucerne hay, pea straw, or sugarcane mulch) to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
   
• Trellis or climbing frame to support the climbing vines and keep the fruit off the ground, reducing the risk of rot and pests.

 

How to grow cucumber

Growing cucumbers can be a rewarding experience with the right steps in place. Here’s how to cultivate healthy plants that yield a delicious harvest:

1. Choose the Right Location: Select a spot for your raised garden bed with plenty of sunlight. Some afternoon shade will prevent the plants from becoming sun-scorched in hot climates.
2. Prepare the Soil: Use a rich, well-draining potting mix for your cucumbers. Set up a trellis or another climbing frame in your garden bed to support the vines as they grow.
3. Plant the Seeds: Sow the cucumber seeds directly into your garden bed. Water them with liquid seaweed concentrate to give them a nutrient boost.
4. Water Consistently: Water briefly every day until the seeds germinate, then reduce watering to three times a week once the seedlings emerge. Cucumbers need regular hydration, especially during fruiting, but be careful not to overwater them, as they are prone to mould.
5. Fertilise & Mulch: Apply a liquid seaweed tonic once a fortnight to support healthy growth. Mulch around the base of the plants with organic material to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.
6. Encourage Pollination: Cucumbers rely on bees to pollinate their flowers, so planting a mix of edible and ornamental flowering plants nearby will attract these essential pollinators. If you're concerned about pollination, hand-pollinating with a small paintbrush can be a helpful backup.

How to harvest cucumbers 

Cucumbers are typically ready for harvest 50 to 70 days after planting. The best time to pick cucumbers is when they’re still young and tender, usually around 15-20cm long. 

Overripe cucumbers can become bitter and seedy, so check the vines regularly during the growing season. The more you harvest, the more the plant will produce, so frequent picking is key to a plentiful crop.

For those looking to maximise their cucumber harvest, here are some extra tips to ensure a successful crop:

• Companion Planting: Cucumbers grow well alongside herbs like dill and oregano and flowers like marigolds, which help repel pests and enhance growth.
   
• Pest Management: Use natural pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap to keep pests at bay without harming your plants or the environment.
   
• Harvest Regularly: Frequent harvesting encourages the plant to keep producing cucumbers, so don’t be afraid to pick them early and often.

Can I grow cucumbers in a raised garden bed?

Low on space? Cucumbers can be grown in raised garden beds, and they often thrive in this type of environment. Raised beds offer many benefits that are particularly well-suited to cucumber cultivation, making them a popular choice among gardeners. Here’s why growing cucumbers in raised garden beds is an excellent option and how to do it successfully:

1. Improved Soil Drainage: Raised garden beds typically have better drainage than traditional in-ground gardens. Cucumbers prefer well-draining soil, as overly wet soil can lead to root rot and other diseases. Raised beds prevent waterlogging and ensure that excess moisture can escape easily.
    
2. Warmer Soil: The soil in raised beds tends to warm up faster in the spring, which is ideal for cucumbers since they thrive in warm conditions. This earlier warmth helps cucumbers get a head start on their growing season, allowing you to plant them earlier and enjoy a longer harvest period.
    
3. Easier to Control Soil Quality: Raised beds give you complete control over the soil quality, which is essential for cucumbers. You create the perfect growing environment by filling the bed with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. This is especially beneficial if your native soil is poor or has a lot of clay, which can hinder cucumber growth.
    
4. Pest and Weed Control: Raised beds are less prone to pests and weeds than in-ground gardens. The elevated height can make it harder for crawling insects to reach your plants, and weeds are easier to manage in a contained space. This means your cucumbers can grow with fewer interruptions from unwanted pests and competition from weeds.
    
5. Space-Saving Vertical Growth: Cucumbers are vining plants that benefit from vertical support, especially in raised beds where space might be limited. Installing a trellis or other vertical structure in your raised bed allows cucumbers to climb, maximising your growing area. This also improves air circulation around the plants, reducing the risk of fungal diseases and making harvesting easier.

Cool as a cucumber: simple recipes to try

Once you've harvested your cucumbers, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re adding them to salads, slicing them for snacks, or using them in summer drinks, their crisp, refreshing flavour is perfect for summer meals. One family favourite is Aunty Court’s Cool as a Cucumber Sandwiches, perfect for an afternoon tea or picnic.

Aunty Court’s Cool as a Cucumber Sandwiches 

Ingredients:

• Two small cucumbers peeled into ribbons
• Six slices of organic wholemeal or white bread
• 50g butter
• ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
• Two tsp chopped fresh dill and chives

Method:

1. Combine the softened butter, lemon rind, dill, and chives in a small bowl. Mix until the herbs and zest are evenly distributed throughout the butter.
    
2. Spread the herb butter generously over three slices of bread, ensuring that the mixture covers the surface of each slice for maximum flavour.
    
3. Arrange the cucumber ribbons on top of the buttered bread, laying them flat to cover the entire surface.
    
4. Top with the remaining slices of bread to create sandwiches. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the crusts to create smooth, even edges.
    
5. Slice each sandwich into three fingers for easy serving.

These sandwiches are delicious and incredibly refreshing, making them an ideal choice for a light lunch or snack on a hot day. The delicate flavours of lemon, dill, and cucumber come together to create a simple yet elegant dish. The butter provides richness, while the cucumber adds a cool, crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft bread.

Other ways to enjoy cucumbers 

If you’re looking to branch out and try other ways to use your cucumber harvest, here are a few more ideas:

• Cucumber Gazpacho: Blend cucumbers with tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, and olive oil to create a refreshing cold soup. Perfect for a light lunch or appetiser during the warmer months.
   
• Pickled Cucumbers: For a longer-lasting treat, turn your cucumbers into pickles! Quick pickling is an easy process that can be done in just a few hours. Combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and spices, then submerge cucumber slices in the brine. After a few hours in the fridge, you’ll have tangy, crunchy pickles to enjoy with sandwiches, burgers, or on their own.
   
• Cucumber and Feta Salad: Combine diced cucumbers with crumbled feta cheese, chopped mint, and a drizzle of olive oil for a simple, flavour-packed salad. This Mediterranean-inspired dish makes a great side for grilled meats or as part of a mezze platter.
   
• Cucumber Water or Cocktails: Add cucumber slices to your water for a refreshing twist on your daily hydration, or use them in summer cocktails like a cucumber gin fizz. The subtle flavour adds a cooling element to your drink, making it perfect for sipping by the pool or at a garden party.
   
• Cucumber Sushi Rolls: Swap out rice for thinly sliced cucumbers and wrap them around your favourite sushi fillings. This low-carb, gluten-free alternative is light, crunchy, and flavourful.

With so many delicious ways to use cucumbers, there’s no doubt that these versatile veggies deserve a place in your summer garden and kitchen. Cucumbers are the perfect summer companion, whether you’re making cool sandwiches for a picnic, preparing a refreshing salad, or simply enjoying them fresh from the vine!

 

Grow cucumbers today with the Organic Garden Co! Quality raised garden beds are available with free shipping for orders over $250.