Can You Plant Cucumbers Deep Like Tomatoes

You have successfully grown your cucumber seedlings from seeds and are ready to transplant them into your garden. But how do you plant them? Can you plant cucumbers deep like tomatoes?

Yes, you can plant cucumbers deep like tomatoes when transplanting them. Cucumbers can be planted with the soil up to the first leaf level. You can even prune the bottom leaves when transplanting to ensure that your cucumber plant has a great foundation to grow.

Read on to learn more about growing cucumbers!

How Do I Grow Cucumbers From Seed?

Ready to try growing cucumbers from seed? The great news is that cucumbers are one of the simplest vegetables to grow from seed! You can start your seedlings indoors and transplant them later, or plant your cucumber seeds directly in your garden! You can do some things to help ensure your cucumber seeds are set up for success. 

Prep Your Soil 

Whether growing your seeds in pots before transplanting or growing directly in your garden, always be sure that your soil is prepped and ready for your seeds; you will want fresh, nutrient-rich soil. Be sure that your soil is not compact, as this will inhibit the cucumber seeds from being able to root properly.

You can get vegetable soil enriched with vitamins and minerals for your cucumber seeds at any garden store. You will want to be sure that your soil is clean, especially if you are planting your cucumbers where another plant grew the year before. Dig out any old roots and put fresh soil in with your seeds.

Prep Your Seeds 

Once you have your soil prepped and pots ready, prep your cucumber seeds for planting! Luckily, cucumber seeds are very simple to plant; they can go directly from their pouch into the dirt! However, if you want to give them a head start, you can soak them in warm, not hot, water for half a day before planting them. While it is unnecessary, some gardeners like to include this step in their cucumber planting routine. 

Plant Your Seeds 

Now, it is time to plant your cucumber seeds! Whether you are planting them directly into the ground of your garden or starting them in pots inside your home, there are basic things your cucumber plants will need to grow healthy and large.

Your cucumber plants will grow faster in warm soil, so if you are growing them in a pot indoors, you can add a heating mat under them. Be sure that your cucumber plants are getting adequate sunlight. Placing your potted cucumbers in a south facing window will give your plant good light all day long.

A grow light is also a great addition to your indoor potted cucumber plant setup. This will help prevent your cucumber plant from growing leggy and tall. Repot your potted plants once they have doubled in size. You can even repot them into a plantable pot such as one made of moss or peat. 

Transplanting Indoor Cucumber Plants To Your Outdoor Garden 

Once your cucumber plants are ready to go outdoors, it is crucial to know how to transfer them correctly. As with all plants, when getting ready to transplant your cucumbers, start by bringing your potted cucumber outside for a few hours at a time to adjust to the outdoor climate.

After your cucumber plant has acclimated to the outdoors, go ahead and transplant your cucumber plant into your garden. You can plant your cucumber deep, allowing the soil to cover the bottommost leaves of your plant.

You can prune away these leaves once your cucumber plant has been replanted; water frequently the first two weeks to ensure a strong and successful transfer. 

Caring For Your Cucumber Plants 

Cucumbers are a relatively easy plant to care for. They need about an inch of water weekly, more during dry and hot weeks. You can tell when a cucumber plant needs more water when it looks droopy. Cucumber leaves are highly susceptible to leaf disease and rot.

To help avoid this issue, use a soaker hose to water your cucumber plants. This helps to avoid getting your cucumber plant’s leaves wet. It is always advisable to avoid getting plant leaves wet, especially during sunny weather, as this can cause sunburn to your plant! To help protect your plant from pests like beetles, you can add a layer of mulch.

This is important when the weather is very hot, as mulch also helps provide moisture for your cucumber plants. Once your cucumber plant has gotten its true leaves, you can begin fertilizing every two weeks with a proper vegetable fertilizer.

You can find cucumber fertilizers at any garden center. Be sure to read the instructions on the package to ensure proper dosage and application. Just as tomato plants thrive in cages, cucumber plants can thrive on trellises.

String your cucumber plant’s vines through a trellis to help keep the cucumber fruit clean and off the ground. Once your cucumber plant begins producing its fruit, harvest your cucumbers when they are large enough to eat. By harvesting your ripe cucumbers, you avoid over-ripened cucumbers from rotting and attracting insects and other pests. 

When Do I Plant Cucumber Seeds?

Cucumbers, like most plants, are susceptible to frost damage. Your little cucumber seedlings would most likely not survive a frosty night, so knowing when your area is warm enough to plant cucumber seeds is essential.

If you are planting your cucumber seeds directly into your garden, you would want to wait until at least two weeks after the last frost. You can use a soil thermometer to check the temperature of your soil. Usually, once the soil reaches above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you are good to plant your cucumber seeds.

If you are starting your cucumber seeds inside, go ahead and plant them in their pots about 4-6 weeks before you want to transplant them outside. Again, ensure that your area is done with frost and that your soil is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Final Thoughts

Cucumbers are a fun, easy, and delicious vegetable to add to your garden. As one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed and a very low maintenance plant once in the ground, cucumber plants are a favorite of both seasoned and novice gardeners alike.

When you decide to grow cucumbers from seed, it is important to remember to prep your soil and seeds. This ensures that you have given your cucumbers have a solid base to grow from. Once your soil and seeds are ready, planting your cucumbers is easy!

Cucumbers are susceptible to cold and will most likely not survive a frost, so be sure that your soil is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit once planted outdoors, water, and fertilized regularly. Soon your cucumber plants will begin producing cucumbers!

Be sure to harvest your cucumbers once they reach the proper size to avoid unwanted attention from pests. Now, you are ready to open that packet of cucumber seeds and begin planting!