How to choose a place to grow cucumbers?
There are many methods for growing cucumbers: in open ground, in greenhouses, on nets, trellises, in barrels. But in order to get a good harvest, it is not enough to apply modern agricultural practices. It is necessary to choose the right place for landing. Soil quality, lighting, fertilizers are important. Only under such conditions, you can get a rich harvest.
Growing conditions
Climatic conditions, ambient temperature, humidity are not the last importance when growing plants. Homeland cucumbers are the tropics and subtropics with a warm, humid climate. In a continental climate, with scorching sun rays, droughts, frosts on the ground in early spring, these varieties feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is important to choose the right place for planting and ensure proper care of the crop.
The temperature of the soil when planting seeds in open ground should be at least 15 ° C, and the seeds begin to germinate at 24 -27 ° C. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a place for planting, because at lower numbers, the seeds may not germinate. When growing cucumbers in greenhouses, humidity must also be taken into account. Therefore, it is worth closing the doors to the greenhouse at night, making sure that there are no drafts. To protect the crop from the scorching rays of the sun, modern mirror materials can be used.
When choosing a place for planting seeds or seedlings, special attention should be paid to the sunlight factor. Pumpkin crops, which include cucumbers, do not tolerate drought, and direct sunlight is stressful for them and causes the production of cucurbitacin in the fruits. This element accumulates in cucumbers in any unfavorable environment (draft, drought, excessive moisture, sudden temperature changes during the day, improper watering). It is better to plant cucumbers in the shade between trees, between rows of corn, or cover with white agrofibre.
soil fertility
Growing cucumbers requires soil rich in organic and mineral substances. On clay soils with a low content of magnesium, potassium and an increased level of nitrogen, it will not be possible to obtain a quality crop. It is necessary to apply complex fertilizers, rotted manure, enrich the earth with oxygen.
Favorable Neighborhood
To grow a rich harvest, it is necessary to take into account many factors, including the predecessors that "lived" on the ground last year. It is better if the predecessors of the pumpkin genus are legumes, nightshade, onions and garlic. It is also recommended to plant cucumbers in the beds where strawberries, beets, cabbage used to grow.
Do not grow cucumbers every year in the same place. As for the neighborhood, you can plant peppers, eggplants, zucchini, radishes nearby. It is worth noting that tomatoes are considered favorable neighbors and predecessors, but they have a common disease with cucumbers - a mosaic virus. If tomatoes last year had this disease, then, unfortunately, you will not be able to avoid trouble with cucumbers. Neighborhood with onions and garlic protects fruits from harmful bacteria.
For the same purpose, marigolds can be planted at the edge of the cucumber row.
How to prepare the soil for planting?
Care for future beds begin in the fall. Remove the remaining leaves, stems from the previous harvest. Apply complex fertilizers, rotted manure. For this purpose, horse, chicken and cow are perfect, but it is better to refuse pork. It is necessary to take into account the increased concentration of bird droppings, so it must be applied with extreme caution.
The land on the site is dug up twice (in autumn and spring). If fertilizers have not been applied, it is recommended to do this in early spring. Urea, superphosphate, potassium sulfate, kalimaga are suitable for this purpose.
Dug-up beds are recommended to be covered with agrofibre. This is done so that the earth warms up better. And only after the soil warms up to eighteen degrees, you can plant the seed. Seeds love warm soil, in such conditions they germinate better.
Ways to grow cucumbers
Cucumbers are crops that can be grown in different conditions, it all depends on the variety, the preferences of the owners and the territory.
in the greenhouse
It is necessary to install a greenhouse in the sun, with free access to water or the ability to install drip irrigation. The soil is treated with copper sulphate, rotted manure, potash fertilizers, ash are applied and left to stand until spring. It is necessary to pay attention to the temperature regime, it is better if the greenhouse is heated. Prudent summer residents install plastic containers with water. During the day, the liquid heats up, and at night it gives off heat, maintaining the necessary conditions.
Outdoors
Bush varieties are more suitable for planting cucumbers in open ground.They do not grow, do not fill neighboring areas, and are easy to care for. When choosing a site for planting, it is necessary to follow generally accepted standards for planting seeds. It is worth paying attention to the direction of the wind, lighting, the possibility of watering plants, harvesting.
On the trellis
As a rule, gardeners resort to this method in order to save land. Landing on nets and trellises has significant advantages over other methods. It is convenient to take care of the crop, the process of assembling vegetables is simplified. When watering, water does not fall on the leaves, but remains in the ground. This reduces the likelihood of diseases and helps vegetables grow better.
In barrels
This method has been known for a long time. It is used in cases where there is not enough space in the garden, which makes it impossible to plant vegetables in open ground. Strongly climbing varieties are more suitable for this. The advantage of this method is the ability to maintain soil moisture and create the most favorable conditions for seed growth.
When choosing a place for planting vegetables, gardeners are guided by different principles. These are personal experience, agrotechnical recommendations, the size of the plot, its illumination, the ability to create the necessary conditions for cultivating the soil and growing seeds. In addition, it is important to prevent drought, carry out preventive treatment of plants, and get rid of weeds. It is necessary to make efforts and show patience, only then you can expect an excellent result.
You will learn more about how to choose a place for growing cucumbers in the following video.