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What Nutrients Do Cucumbers Need to Grow?

When you set out to grow cucumbers (Cucumis sativus), chances are you'll be more focused on what the plants will be growing upon than on what they'll be growing in. After all, there seem to be as many trellis, fence, frame and pole systems to grow cucumber vines as their are cucumber varieties. Yet it's just as important to prepare the soil in which they'll be growing. Adding the right nutrients and soil-builders to the cucumber patch before planting the vine is key to high yield and high quality, as is amending the soil with additional nutrients during the growing season. These annual annual vegetables are best suited to U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 12.

  1. Humus

    • At the seedling stage, cucumbers need superior soil texture and reasonable fertility in which to thrive more than they do specific nutrients. To supply these elements, compost or aged manure are most frequently used as all-purpose soil builders. It's best to enrich the soil at least one week before planting the cucumbers. Work a 4-inch layer of either of the two humusy materials into your garden bed, to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.

    pH Corrector

    • A soil test kit or portable meter is helpful for determining your soil's current pH level. Cucumbers grow best in slightly acidic soil, with a pH of between 5.5 to 6.8. If your soil is alkaline -- above 6.8 -- add sulfur to correct the pH level. In general, 1 pound of sulfur per 100 square feet will lower the pH level by 1 point. If possible, work the sulfur into the cucumber bed at least one month before planting time.

    Nitrogen

    • When the cucumber vines begin to spread out, add nitrogen to the soil to promote strong stem and leaf growth. Blood meal or aged manure are ideal to spread in a ring around each cucumber plant -- scratch no more than 1 cup of blood meal into the surface of the soil around each vine, or about 1 inch of manure. The vines appreciate this side dressing on a monthly basis during the growing season. If cucumber vines begin to turn yellow, increase the frequency of the applications. Otherwise, use nitrogen sparingly to avoid having vines with plentiful foliage but a pitiful yield of cucumbers.

    Water

    • Water is crucial when it comes to cucumbers. While it might seem obvious to note that most plants need water to thrive, the correct amount of water is especially important with cukes. When the vines receive fluctuating amounts of moisture, they have a tendency to become bitter. While there's not much you can do about torrential rainstorms, you can prevent the soil from becoming overly dry. Aim for soil that is always slightly moist. One to 2 inches of water per week is ideal, especially when the vines develop flowers and fruits.

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