Cucumber seeds germinate best in warm soil temperatures. The ideal range for germination is between 60°F (15°C) and 95°F (35°C). However, the optimal temperature is around 70°F to 95°F (21°C to 35°C).

Direct sow if you live in a mild climate.  Otherwise start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks prior to your last frost date.

Cucumber seedlings should be transplanted outdoors after the last expected frost date once the weather has warmed and the soil temperatures consistently reach at least 60°F (15°C) or warmer.

Full sunlight: at least 6-8 hours a day.

For vining cucumbers, trellis the plants and space them 6-12″ apart.  For bush cucumbers, space plants 18-24″ apart. Be sure to check the seed packet for specifics on your variety’s size.

Cucumbers prefer daytime temperatures between 70°F and 95°F (21°C to 35°C). Cucumbers can tolerate cooler nighttime temperatures, but they perform best when nighttime temperatures stay above 60°F (15°C). Cucumbers are not hardy and will be killed by frost.

Keep the soil consistently moist.  Water at the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry and reduce the risk of diseases.

Cucumbers do not generally require pruning for healthy growth or fruit production. If your cucumber plants are dense, prune excess foliage to encourage more fruit production and allow airflow to prevent disease.

Harvest cucumbers when they reach the desired size for your variety and are still tender. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production. Pick cucumbers before they become overripe, as overripe cucumbers can be bitter and slow or stop production of the plant.

Cucumbers are typically grown from seeds. If saving seeds from an heirloom variety, be sure to avoid cross-pollination. Different varieties of cucumbers will cross-pollinate with each other.

Cucumbers are monoecious plants, meaning they have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. It’s common for the male flowers to appear before the female flowers. After the male flowers have appeared and begun releasing pollen, the plant starts producing female flowers. Female flowers contain the structures that, when pollinated, develop into fruits, so do not fret if your cucumbers aren’t producing any fruit with the appearance of the first flowers.  This is completely normal, and you will have fruit before long.