Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) form large leaves and very long tendrils and should therefore be allowed to climb on a trellis or lattice tunnel in a warm location.
Cucumbers need a lot of nutrients
Sow directly into the prepared raised bed
Before you sow the cucumber seeds in the raised bed, you should create the right subsoil for the plants that need a lot of nutrients and love warmth: In April, at the latest shortly before sowing in May, spread a layer of fresh horse manure about 40 centimeters thick in the bed, spread it loosely and kick him tight. This is followed by an approx. 10 to 15 centimeter thick layer of nutrient-rich plant or compost soil. Pour the mixture well and cover with foil for three days. After three to five days, you can finally sow the seeds at a distance of 100 x 40 centimeters and at a depth of two centimeters.
Good neighbors in the cucumber patch
In warm, sunny locations and on low beds, sweet corn can be planted with the cucumbers. But the following types of vegetables also harmonize very well:
- Onions, leeks (leek) and garlic
- beans and peas
- celery
- fennel
- cabbage
- lettuce and spinach
- Carrots, kohlrabi and zucchini
- potatoes
However, cucumbers do not get along with tomatoes, radishes and radishes at all.
Cucumbers need warmth and lots of nutrients
Cucumbers have a very high nutrient and water requirement, which is why you should always mulch them well and, if necessary, fertilize them again in July. Since these plants are also very warmth-loving, it is advisable to cover the trellis tunnel with foil or fleece. Alternatively, you can also cultivate the plants very well under a greenhouse attachment you have built yourself or bought ready-made. The mini or midi varieties are best suited for cultivation in raised beds, with the grafted variants in particular being both robust against various fungal diseases and very high-yielding. The harvest begins four to six weeks after planting, provided you have placed young plants in the bed instead of the seeds.
tips
Cucumbers can develop very long tendrils and shoots that grow down from the raised bed to the ground. Snails like to use these as a ladder to get into the raised bed and feast on leaves and fruits there. To avoid this, you should trim the tendrils or direct them back up.