Content
A good harvest of cucumbers depends on correctly placed accents: the choice of time for sowing planting material, soil fertility, varieties of vegetable crops and adherence to agrotechnical methods of cultivation.
It is possible to get a high-quality and good harvest of cucumbers if you know the agrotechnical methods of growing and the time that is suitable for planting a crop. Cucumbers are a heat-loving plant, therefore, sowing seeds in May is carried out when the weather is warm, and at night the thermometer does not drop below +10 ° С. A popular omen says: "If dandelions bloom en masse, then it's time to sow vegetable seeds."
Planting time for cucumbers depending on climatic conditions
In Moscow and Moscow region in the second decade of May, seeds are sown under a film and in a glass greenhouse, at the end of May - in a temporary removable greenhouse.
Optimal time for sowing seeds in the Middle Urals... The harsh climate does not allow sowing cucumbers in open ground. Planting culture is carried out through seedlings, which are grown at home and transferred to the greenhouse at the end of May.
Planting culture in the Urals. In the first decade of May, seedlings are planted under a film in the soil with biofuel, in the third decade - in greenhouses without humus.
When to plant in the Leningrad region... Seedlings are sown in late April and early May. The grown culture is transferred to a glass or film greenhouse in the third decade of May.
Planting vegetable crops in Crimea... Sowing seeds in open ground is carried out in early May, this time is considered favorable for planting ready-made seedlings.
Calculation of sowing dates for cucumbers
Seedlings are transplanted into a nutrient substrate at the age of 25-30 days. Plants should have 3-4 well-developed leaves and reach a height of 30 cm.When calculating the time, the ripening rate of the variety is taken into account:
- early ripe cucumbers enter fruiting 32-45 days after the planting process;
- mid-season - on day 50;
- late ripening - 55-65 days.
By correlating the varietal characteristics of each species and climatic conditions, you can get a rich harvest.
What signs to look for when choosing cucumbers
When buying seeds of varieties and hybrids, they pay attention not only to size and shape.
What does the appearance of cucumbers indicate?
Pubescent vegetables... Fruit thorniness is dense or may be absent altogether. Large ones will be located next to the small thorns. And the pubescence itself has differences in color. There are varieties and hybrids with whitish, black and brownish thorns.
White-thorn cucumbers suitable only for everyday food use, for preparing salads. Such fruits are not suitable for salting.
Universal type of cucumber - fruits with brown or black thorns. All varieties of this species are intended for cultivation in greenhouses and in the open field. You can make salads from them, marinate for the winter.
The best varieties of vegetables for growing outdoors
For an early harvest, it is recommended to grow the following cucumber varieties.
"Competitor"
The variety is resistant to powdery mildew, bacterial diseases. The fruits can be preserved. "Competitor" is planted in nutrient soil and watered abundantly. If these conditions are neglected, the fruits will be dry and bitter.
Advantages of the variety:
- gives a stable and high yield;
- characterized by a long fruiting period;
- from 1 m2 plantings can be harvested up to 3.5 kg of cucumbers;
- the fruits have a good appearance and excellent quality;
- seeds are distinguished by good germination.
Along with the advantages, disadvantages can also be identified. If the fruits are not removed from the garden in time, cracks appear on the peel and the aroma of the fruit disappears.
"Elegant"
The early maturing variety won the sympathy of gardeners. In addition to its excellent yield, the variety is famous for its resistance to cold weather. From sowing to the entry of the culture into fruiting, an average of 50 days pass. It is a good pollinator. Sowing seeds in the ground is carried out depending on the climatic conditions of the region.
The variety is undemanding to care, needs regular watering with warm water. Responds well to fertilization. You need to feed once every 10 days. When 3 true leaves appear on the plant, you need to pinch the top to ensure the growth of the variety.
Fruits of an elliptical shape are weighing up to 125 grams. Cucumbers retain their freshness and taste for a long time. Designed for salting.
"Cascade"
Refers to early maturing varieties. It starts bearing fruit 45 days after sowing the seeds. Can be grown in greenhouses and outdoors. Delicious, crispy, lined fruits are spindle-shaped with small, well-visible tubercles. Suitable for salads and pickling.
Features of the variety:
- thermophilic;
- resistant to powdery mildew;
- requires abundant watering;
- planting is carried out in light, fertile soil.
Care consists in loosening the soil, applying fertilizers and removing weeds.
What cucumbers are suitable for pickling
"Competitor" and "Cascade" are the most suitable varieties for canning. But, besides them, the following varieties are worthy of attention.
"Aquarius"
Ideal for outdoor cultivation. The fruits are 10 cm long and have a pleasant green color. Produces a high yield. Diseases such as downy mildew, anthracnose, bacteriosis are not terrible for the plant. It is used both fresh and suitable for canning.
Seeds are sown in open ground when the soil warms up to +18 ° C. The culture is very sensitive to a decrease in temperature: growth stops and it becomes susceptible to various diseases.
"Far Eastern"
Bee-pollinated variety. 45 days pass from planting to fruiting. The plant has long, branched whips. It does not differ in the density of foliage, which simplifies harvesting work. The fruits are elongated, elliptical-like.
Advantages of the variety:
- high yield;
- long-term fruiting;
- good taste, lasting up to 2 days;
- drought resistant.
Among the disadvantages are the presence of barren flowers and the rapid yellowing of the fruit.
Yielding hybrid varieties
The F1 marking indicates that the variety was obtained by crossing.
Distinctive properties of hybrids:
- good productivity;
- enviable endurance;
- pleasant fruit taste.
Each gardener has a glimmer of hope that his work will not be wasted, and the harvest will be high. I would like to have enough cucumbers not only to eat, but to preserve for the winter. Among the huge selection of planting material, many are at a loss and do not know which high-yielding variety to give preference to. The yield of a crop directly depends on the soil in which it will be grown, and on adherence to agricultural practices. Consider the highest yielding varieties.
"Spring F1"
Tall plant with predominantly female flowers. The ovaries are formed in a bundle: up to 3 fruits in one node. The plant is resistant to powdery mildew, anthracnose, spotted olive. It takes 50 days from germination to harvest. Slightly lumpy fruits reach 10 cm in length, are characterized by the absence of bitterness. The pulp is soft, crispy.
Advantages of the variety:
- drought and disease resistant;
- retains commercial qualities for a long time;
- long fruiting period;
- high productivity;
- suitable for pickling.
"Zozulya F1"
It is very popular among vegetable growers. From 1 m2 you can collect up to 10 kg of fruit. An early ripe hybrid with cylindrical, slightly lumpy oblong fruits. Against the background of the dark green color of the cucumbers, you can see white stripes. The variety is pollinated without the participation of insects. Disease resistant.
Seeds do not require pre-sowing treatment: disinfection, soaking. They can be sown dry in open ground in early May. If the cultivation takes place in a seedling way, then young plants are transferred to the garden in the third decade of May.
Canning cucumber varieties
Not all varieties are suitable for pickling. In order not to be mistaken with the choice, you will need to carefully study the instructions for growing a particular variety. But the best varieties for home canning are as follows.
"Antoshka F1"
Suitable for growing in open-air beds and film greenhouses. The medium-ripening hybrid has a good yield. Up to 4-6 ovaries are laid in the nodes. It is characterized by indeterminacy, good lashing, strong growth. The foliage of the plant has a green color, weak waves are noticeable along the edge. Fusiform fruits with weak tubercles and black thorns. It is famous for its high salting qualities. Resistant to many diseases.
"Emelya F1"
The plant is distinguished by vigorous growth, has shortened internodes. The cucumbers have an intense green color. The soft skin is not bitter. Zelentsy have high taste.
Advantages:
- grows well in greenhouses and outdoors;
- has predominantly female flowers;
- high productivity;
- resistance to low temperatures, diseases.
There are also disadvantages. When the soil is waterlogged, the plant becomes ill with downy mildew.
All information about growing cucumbers can be found in the video:
Conclusion
Cucumbers contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that are essential for maintaining health, especially during the off-season. Therefore, each gardener stocks up on seeds and, since May, has been growing cucumbers.
