How to Plant Cucumber Seeds

Overview

It is believed that cucumbers were first raised in India 1,500 years ago, spreading rapidly to Europe and Asia. Today the vine-grown vegetable is popular in salads and pickled into relish. Cucumbers are hearty and will thrive in most climates, if you follow these steps.

Step 1

Plant cucumber seeds 1/2 to one inch deep in small peat pots filled with potting soil.

Step 2

Moisten the soil with a watering can. The seeds should begin to germinate in seven to 10 days.

Step 3

Loosen and aerate the garden soil with a hoe, mixing compost into the soil for added nutrients.

Step 4

Transplant cucumber seeds to your garden after two weeks, once the danger of the last frost has passed in late winter or early spring for a summer harvest. Seedling vines ready to transplant will have at least four formed leaves on each plant.

Step 5

Spread the seedlings at least one foot apart in the garden, with two feet between rows. Cucumber vines take a lot of ground space.

Step 6

Harvest cucumbers when they are firm and green, picking two-inch cucumbers for pickling, four-to-six inch cukes for dill pickles, and six to 10 inches for salads.

Step 7

Plant a second round of seeds in mid-summer for a fall bumper crop.