Gardening > Growing FoodApril 19, 2007

Here are some tips for growing cucumbers by the ThriftyFun community.

Plant With Sunflowers

Cucumbers are sweeter when you plant them with sunflowers!

By Mariann

Grow Near An Archway

Plant one near a decorative planted garden archway, the cucumber plant will weave its way up the arch with the ornamental. I had a self seeded pumpkin growing among my rampant climbing rose, it was no problem, shared the fertiliser and water, fruited well and I just pulled the stems out when they were dead.

By Jo

Hanging Basket On A Fence

Try growing your cucumbers in hanging baskets hanging on a fence. If it's a wooden fence, all you need to do is stretch a wire or some string along it so as the cucumber has something to grow along. I have found that you have to water daily.

By pthere from Hamilton, New Zealand

Off The Ground

Cucumbers do very well off the ground. I've grown them against fences and on a trellis. It keeps the cukes cleaner and straighter and seem to have less trouble with powdery mildew. If they are too out of hand already, try to stuff some mulch like straw or newspaper under the vines so they stay off the ground. Note: moldy hay might have powdery mildew so it is not recommended.

By Carla

Livestock Fence

We have also used hog panels or livestock fence for cucumbers and tomatoes. I use nylon hose cut in small pieces to tie both, works great and doesn't hurt the vine.

By Chaingang

Wire Cages

I grow my cucumbers in a wire cage. It is made out of fencing wire and about three feet around. Cucumbers usually just grow on the ground and take over whatever they want. This way, they are confined a little. I just keep putting the runners back inside the cage when they grow out. The trellis idea is interesting.

I just used regular tomato cages and ran the vines through the spokes. So far, so good! I think you don't want them on the ground if you can help it. They could get moldy.

Cucumbers Will Keep Coming

When harvesting cucumbers, the best way to detach the cucumber once it is ready and will the plant keep on producing after the first harvesting.

By Alex

Feed Cucumbers Often

Remember cucumbers are heavy feeders so be sure to feed them often. I use a weak solution of miracle grow or the generic/store brand weekly and this year I have gotten more cucumbers than ever. Cucumbers need lots of rich soil, lots of manure and heat and water.

Homemade Nylon Trellis

I did tie my tomatoes and cucumbers to a nylon trellis that I made. I am hoping that they will grow to be tall and produce lots of cukes!

By Sarah in IL

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