Cucumbers are a staple of the summer garden, and there’s nothing like a freshly picked cucumber straight from the vine. Growing cucumbers from seeds is a rewarding experience for gardeners of all skill levels and the process is easy to follow.
Starting planting cucumber seeds indoors gives you a jump-start on the season and provides an abundance of refreshing vegetables that can be enjoyed fresh or in a variety of recipes, including homemade pickles. It’s important to remember to harden off your cucumber seedlings before transplanting them into the garden, and it is also helpful to plant a few varieties with different days to maturity so you can enjoy fresh cukes longer into the fall.
Green Thumb 101: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Cucumber Seeds Indoors
Seeds should be started two to three weeks before your anticipated outdoor planting date. A heat mat or grow light is an excellent option for starting cucumbers because the plants need constant warmth and sunlight to thrive. Seeds can be started in individual cell containers, but it is best to use a plantable container such as peat pots, Jiffy 7’s, or a fabric planter, to make transplanting less traumatic to the roots. Seeds should be spaced 2-3 per container and planted a half inch deep. Water well and keep soil consistently moist but never soaking wet, and fertilize weekly with an organic liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or compost tea.
When the cucumbers are a few inches tall, they can be moved outside for a few days to harden off. They should be planted in hills if possible, and the plants will need some type of support to climb on such as a trellis or tomato cages. Cucumbers are vigorous growers, so you should expect your seedlings to outgrow their initial containers within a few weeks of transplanting.
