- 1). Pick a site that gets full sun and is not close to tree roots. Cucumber roots get as deep as 48 inches and tree roots can draw nutrients from the cucumbers. Make sure the soil is well-drained, preferably sandy. Cucumbers spread up to 4 feet, but you can train them to climb wire baskets or lines to save space.
- 2). Prepare the soil by spading it and turning it over. Add compost of dead leaves and other dead foliage. Prepare rows 4 to 6 inches high and at least 36 inches apart. Make sure the ridges are high enough for proper drainage.
- 3). Plant three to four seeds 1 inch deep, 12 to 14 inches apart. Decide if you will allow the vines to grow naturally or use wire to free up space. Vines can grow as far as 6 to 8 feet, taking up a great deal of space.
- 4). Soak the beds with water after planting. Water plants, soaking the ground weekly if it does not rain. Mix fertilizer into the soil after planting. The Texas Agriculture Center suggests using 10-10-10 or 10-20-10 fertilizer for every 10-foot row. Fertilize again when the vines are 10 to 12 inches long, using 1 tbsp. per plant.
- 5). Remove plants that are closer than 12 to 14 inches apart in a row. Thinning the crop will allow plants to grow better, reducing entanglement.
- 6). Engage the male and female flower if the female flowers begin to fall off the vine. Female flowers have longer, green stems. Use a cotton swab and touch the inside of the male flower and the female. This will assist with pollination.
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