Salt and Pepper Organic Cucumber Seed

Scientific name

Cucumis sativus

Soil and warmth

Cucumbers want warm, fertile, well-drained soil at pH 6.0–6.8 and regular watering for a full crop. They are very sensitive to cold, so wait until both the soil and the air have warmed before planting. Plastic mulch and row cover add warmth, keep insects off and noticeably boost vigor and yield. For tunnels and greenhouses, parthenocarpic (self-fruiting) varieties are the better choice.

Days to maturity

Counted from direct sowing. Transplants are ready about 10 days sooner.

Transplanting

Sow 1–2 seeds per cell in 50-cell trays 3–4 weeks before planting out, and keep them above 70°F (21°C) by day and 60°F (16°C) at night. Set plants 12" apart in rows 5–6' apart, keeping the root ball intact.

Direct sowing

Wait for soil of at least 70°F (21°C); below 50°F (10°C) the seed will not sprout at all. Sow 2 seeds per foot, 1/2" deep, in rows 6' apart, and thin to one plant every 12".

Seeding rate

At 2 seeds per foot in rows 6' apart: about 100 seeds per 50 ft., 1,000 per 500 ft. and 15,000 per acre.

Insect pests

Keep cucumber beetles off with row cover from planting day, or use an approved insecticide such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin. Controlling beetles also helps prevent bacterial wilt, which they spread.

Disease

Rotate crops, clear away old vines and choose resistant varieties.

Harvest

Once plants start bearing, pick every day.

Storage

Cucumbers keep for up to 2 weeks at 50–55°F (10–13°C) and about 90% relative humidity.

Seedless types

Parthenocarpic cucumbers produce seedy fruit if other cucumbers pollinate them. That is why seedless types are usually grown on their own in greenhouses or hoop houses with insect screens.

Transplants

Plan on about 85 plants per 100 seeds.

Packet

30 seeds.

Seeds per lb.

About 19,900 on average.