How to Grow Small Cucumbers for Japanese Pickles

Start cucumber seeds or seedlings in mid-spring when nighttime temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees F. These sensitive plants fail in frost. Plant cucumbers at least yhtree months ahead of first fall frost for a full growing season.

Choose a garden plot with bright sun for six to eight hours every day and good air movement. Make sure that the cucumbers don't get shade from taller plants in the garden. Dig up the top 6 inches of soil, mix it well, and fold in 4 inches of organic compost. Cucumbers prefer loose, moist and organically rich soil. Dig 5-10-10 fertilizer into the top 4 inches of soil for more nutrition.

Plant Japanese cucumber cultivars like Suhyo, Palace King, Palace Pride, Southern Delight, Summer Dance, Tasty Green and Tsuyataro for Japanese pickles. Push seeds 1/2-inch deep at two to three feet in the row. Space multiple rows at five to six feet.

Water the cucumbers with 2 inches of water every week and use 2 inches of mulch to keep the soil moist and warm. Give each cucumber plant a trellis or vegetable cage for growing; tie the cucumbers up to the structures as they grow for better sun and air exposure, and longer, healthier cucumber growth.

Fertilize Japanese cucumber plants with 10-10-10 fertilizer the week after blossoming and again three weeks later. Turn the fertilizer into the soil to the side of each plant, then water. Be careful with fertilizer granules, as they burn plants and their roots with direct contact.

Harvest Japanese cucumbers when they reach desired length. Harvest them young and small for best flavor, and don't allow them to yellow on the vine. Early harvest encourages repeat blooming and fruit set.