How to Plant Cucumbers in Mounds
Cucumbers are warm-season vegetables which grow well in full sun and well-drained dirt. The cucumber grows 1 to 6 feet high and 1 to 2 feet wide, depending on the variety. Most varieties of the cucumber are dark green, but some are white, white, cream and yellow. There are 3 varieties of cucumbers: slicing, pickling and burpless. All varieties are planted the same style, except indoor sorts might be grown in a greenhouse, since they need high humidity and temperatures in a range of 64 to 86 degrees F. Cucumbers grow nicely in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4a to 11b.
Planting Transplants
Start plants indoors in mid-spring to late spring approximately four weeks prior to transplanting outdoors. Sow two to three seeds at a two- to 3-inch pot.
Put a heat mat set to 70 degrees beneath the seeds. Avoid watering until after germination. Maintain a minimum temperature of 65 degrees.
Keep the soil moist during germination. Maintain a minimum temperature of 60 degrees, and keep the plants in good, even light. Slim all but the strongest seedling.
Harden off seedlings when they’re in the three-to-four leaf stage in late spring to early summer.
Make a trench about 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Till in 1.85 cubic yards of well-rotted manure and compost to a depth of 6 to 8 inches per 100 square feet. Mound 6 inches of dirt, spacing mounds 18 inches apart for growing plants and 36 inches apart for bush plants.
Plant the seedlings heavy enough so the stem is not covered. Irrigate consistently, watering when the soil is dry past the first joint of the finger.
Direct Seeding
Plant seed in spring after the danger of frost has passed, when soil temperatures are 60 degrees or warmer.
Make a trench about 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Till in 1.85 cubic yards of well-rotted manure and compost to a depth of 6 to 8 inches per 100 square feet.
Mound a stack of dirt 6 inches tall. Space mounds 18 inches apart for growing plants and 36 inches apart for bush plants. Plant approximately four to six seeds to a depth of 1 inch at the center of the mound. Cover the seed, and tamp the ground gently.
Slim all but 2 to three healthy seedlings per mound. Irrigate consistently, soaking with 1 inch of water when the soil is dry past the first joint of the finger.