How to choose a place for growing cucumbers?
There are many methods of growing cucumbers: in the open field, in greenhouses, on nets, trellis, in barrels. But in order to get a good harvest, it is not enough to apply modern agrotechnical techniques. It is necessary to choose the right place for landing. Important soil quality, lighting, fertilizer. Only under such conditions, you can get a rich harvest.
Growing conditions
Climatic conditions, ambient temperature, humidity are not the last value when growing plants. Homeland cucumbers are tropics and subtropics with a warm, humid climate. In the continental climate, with the scorching rays of the sun, droughts, frost on the ground in early spring, these varieties feel uncomfortable. Therefore, it is important to choose the right place for planting and to ensure proper care of the culture.
The soil temperature when planting seeds in open ground should be at least 15 ° C, and the seeds start growing at 24 -27 ° C. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a site for planting, because at lower numbers the seeds may not germinate. When greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers must also take into account the humidity. Therefore it is necessary to close the door to the greenhouse at night, to make sure that there are no drafts. To protect the crop from the scorching rays of the sun, you can use modern mirror materials.
When choosing a place for planting seeds or seedlings, special attention should be paid to the factor of sunlight. Pumpkin crops, which include cucumbers, do not tolerate drought, and direct sunlight is stress for them and the cause of cucurbitacin production in fruits. This element accumulates in cucumbers in any unfavorable environment (draft, drought, excessive moisture, sudden temperature changes during the day, improper watering). It is better to plant cucumbers in the shade between the trees, between the rows of corn, or cover with white agrofibre.
Soil fertility
For the cultivation of cucumbers necessary soil rich in organic and mineral substances. On clay soils with a low content of magnesium, potassium and elevated nitrogen levels, it will not be possible to obtain a high-quality crop. It is necessary to make complex fertilizers, rotted manure, to enrich the earth with oxygen.
Favorable neighborhood
To grow a rich harvest, it is necessary to take into account many factors, including predecessors, who "lived" on the ground last year. It is better if the forerunners of the pumpkin genus will be legumes, nightshade, onions and garlic. It is also recommended to plant cucumbers on the beds where strawberries, beets, cabbage were previously grown.
It is not necessary to grow cucumbers every year at the same place. As for the neighborhood, you can plant peppers, eggplants, zucchini, radishes nearby. It is worth noting that tomatoes are considered favorable neighbors and predecessors, but they have a common disease with cucumbers - the mosaic virus. If tomatoes have had this disease last year, then, unfortunately, you will not be able to avoid troubles with cucumbers. Neighborhood with onions and garlic protects the fruit from harmful bacteria.
For the same purpose, marigolds can be planted near the edge of the cucumber row.
How to prepare the ground for planting?
Care for future beds begin in the fall. Remove the remaining leaves, stems after the previous harvest. Introduce complex fertilizers, rotted manure. For this purpose, horse, chicken and cow will be perfect, but from pig it is better to refuse. It is necessary to take into account the increased concentration of bird droppings, so it must be introduced with extreme caution.
They dig up the land on the site twice (in autumn and spring). If fertilizers have not been applied, it is recommended to do this in early spring. For this purpose, suitable urea, superphosphate, potassium sulfate, kalimaga.
Dug beds are recommended to cover with agrofibre. This is done to ensure that the earth warms up better.And only after the soil warms up to eighteen degrees, you can plant seed. Seeds like warm earth, in such conditions they germinate better.
Ways to grow cucumbers
Cucumbers belong to the crops that can be grown in different conditions, it all depends on the variety, the preferences of the owners and the territory.
In the greenhouse
It is necessary to install a greenhouse in the sun, with free access to water or the ability to install drip irrigation. The soil is treated with copper sulphate, rotted manure, potash fertilizers, ash and leave to stand until spring. It is necessary to pay attention to the temperature regime, it is better if the greenhouse is heated. Provident gardeners install plastic containers with water. During the day, the liquid heats up, and at night it gives off heat, maintaining the necessary conditions.
In the open ground
For planting cucumbers in open ground more suitable bush varieties. They do not grow, do not fill the adjacent areas, easy to clean. When choosing a site for planting, it is necessary to follow generally accepted standards for planting seeds. It is necessary to pay attention to the direction of the wind, lighting, the possibility of watering plants, harvesting.
On the trellis
As a rule, gardeners resort to this method in order to save land. Landing on nets and trellis has significant advantages over other methods. It is convenient to take care of the harvest, simplifies the process of assembling vegetables. When watering water does not fall on the leaves, and remains in the ground. This reduces the likelihood of disease and helps vegetables grow better.
In barrels
This method has long been known. It is used in cases where there is not enough space in the garden, due to which it is not possible to plant vegetables in open ground. Strong-grading varieties are more suitable for this. The advantage of this method is the ability to maintain soil moisture and create the most favorable conditions for seed growth.
When choosing a place for planting vegetables, gardeners are guided by different principles. This is a personal experience, agrotechnical recommendations, the size of the site, its illumination, the ability to create the necessary conditions for the cultivation of the soil and growing seeds. In addition, it is important not to allow droughts, to carry out preventive treatment of plants, to get rid of weeds. You need to make an effort and be patient, only then you can expect an excellent result.
Learn more about how to choose a place for growing cucumbers, you will learn from the following video.