Cucumber tastes great with salad, sandwiches, and many other dishes. Freshly grown cucumbers taste amazing, even if you eat them without anything. So, if you are new to home gardening, you may be wondering, “How many cucumber plants per person would be needed for the entire family?
They are easy to grow and require a large space because they spread on vines. People love growing them on trellises, as this adds beauty to the garden and also makes the harvesting process very easy. Read the blog till the end to find out how many cucumber plants you may need per person.
How Many Cucumber Plants Should You Grow Per Person?
If you like to eat fresh cucumber straight from the garden, or use it as salad or in juicing recipes, you might need 2-3 cucumber plants per person. But, if you want to make cucumber pickles, then plant 3-4 plants for each quart of pickles.
The number of plants required is also based on the amount of cucumber each plant produces per cycle. Some gardeners suggest a succession planting cycle of 20 weeks, as they believe the plant must have lost its nutrients by that time. You can expect to harvest cucumbers by the 9th week, while the vines continue producing cucumbers for the rest of the growth cycle.
Usually, you can use 1100 cubic inch planters, as they are perfect during the 20-week cycle. So, if you eat 7 units of cucumbers per week, then you might have to replace two plants weekly.
How Many Cucumber Plants Per Square Foot?
A square foot in gardening refers to a 12-inch by 12-inch plot. Within that small space, you can easily fit two cucumber plants, and ensure to place them around 6 inches apart. Though this seems like a small area, remember, cucumber plants are climbers, and they need support to grow. As each plant can produce at least 5 pounds of cucumber, one square foot of the garden is the perfect space for growing at least 10 pounds of fruit.
How Can You Grow Cucumber Plants?
Growing cucumbers is not rocket science. All you need to know is the right process, so here is a detailed explanation -
Prepare the Soil
Cucumber thrives in a well-drained, organic-rich, sandy soil. Find well-draining soil for your cucumber plant. Once you have the soil, decide on a location where you want to grow the fruit. Before planting, it is advised to get the soil tested and proceed with the recommendations that are given after the testing.
If the soil requires fertilizer, apply it to the top 6 inches of soil, and if you are planning to fertilize with compost, apply a maximum of 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of the space.
Seed or Transplants
You can either use seeds or transplants to grow cucumbers. The main differences include -
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Seed needs to be planted 1 inch deep, whereas transplants should have at least 1-3 mature leaves and a developing root.
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Seeds usually germinate in 5-10 days, and transplants take 4-6 weeks to grow.
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Seeds take time to grow. On the other hand, transplants mature in about 2 weeks before seeded cucumbers.
Plant and Add Space
It is advised to plant cucumbers when the soil is 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or once winter has passed. Plant 4-6 seeds and keep a space of at least 12-14 inches with about 4 feet between each row.
When you see the seedling develop its first two leaves, thin them out. This is because only two are required in each spot. On the contrary, if you are using transplants, sow them 2 feet apart in each row, which is also 4 feet apart.
| Some Tips | Ensure not to touch or disturb the roots of the transplants during planting, as this might delay the growth. |
Mulch
You can use black plastic mulch, as it helps keep the soil warm and conserve water. It also controls weeds and allows early planting and maturity, especially with transplants. Once you lay the mulch, secure its edge using soil, and then cut holes for the seeds or the transplants.
If you use mulch, then you don’t have to wait for the frost to be over, and you can plant the cucumbers 2-3 weeks early. Also, ensure not to apply organic mulches, such as grass clipping, straw, newspaper, etc., until the soil is warmer.
Row Covers
It is advised to use row cover, such as plastic tunnels, hotcaps, fabric covers, etc., as these protect seedlings and transplants from cold air temperatures. Keep checking the temperature under the row covering using a thermometer. This is because the plants underneath require ventilation once the temperature increases to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
When the temperature increases, it affects the quality and quantity of the fruit. So, when you feel the weather has stabilized, remove the covers.
Irrigation and Fertilizer
Depending on the plant size, water it deeply and less frequently using drip irrigation. Use mulches to prevent soil moisture loss and reduce weed growth. Also, look for the runners on the vines. If you see them, use 3-4 tbsp of a nitrogen fertilizer (21-0-0).
