I grow cucumbers in a variety of ways. I often practice planting seeds directly in open ground. At the same time, I follow a number of useful rules.
Deadlines and preparatory work
When choosing the time for sowing such a heat-loving crop as cucumbers, I focus mainly on weather conditions.
I start when the daytime temperature does not consistently fall below + 15 ° C. It is important that by this time the potential threat of night frost has disappeared.
I pre-prepare the seed material by performing several steps:
- Calibration. The goal is to cull non-emerging grains. I pour slightly heated water (1 l) into a glass container. I dissolve in it with vigorous stirring 1.5 tbsp. l. fine-grained table salt. I immerse the seeds in the liquid for 15 minutes. I'm throwing away all items that pop up. I rinse the seeds remaining at the bottom and lay them out on a napkin to dry.
- Disinfection. I stand the seed for 30 minutes in a pink solution of potassium permanganate.
- Germination. I lay the seeds, keeping a small gap between them, between wet linen napkins. I hold out until spitting.
- hardening. In order to increase resistance to changing external conditions, I install a saucer with grains wrapped in a moistened cloth napkin in the refrigerator for 48 hours. After this stage, I immediately carry out sowing.
I prepare the site in the fall. I scatter rotted manure (5-6 kg / m2), after which I carry out a deep digging, choosing necessarily the rhizomes of weeds. I form ridges, maintaining their north-south direction. In the spring, I water with a nutrient solution based on chicken manure, prepared in a ratio of 1:20. Can be replaced with infusion (1:5) of mullein.
Cucumbers develop well on a warm ridge. If possible, I put grass, chopped bark, leaves, small branches, manure in the base. I put a layer of soil on top. The height of the ridge is about 25 cm. When organics are overheated, cucumbers receive not only heat, but also a complex of useful compounds.
Sowing activities
I loosen the surface of the prepared ridges with a rake. Prepare holes 2 cm deep. I leave the interval between them 0.5-0.6 m.
I add some distilled water. When the moisture is absorbed, I lay the seeds. I put 3-5 pieces in each well. I fill them with loose dry soil, making a 3-centimeter layer, which I lightly press with my palm.
Despite the rather warm weather, I install arcs over the ridge, on which I stretch a double spunbond or plastic film. This measure is necessary to create a greenhouse regime favorable for the germination of cucumbers. And also the seedlings will be protected from a possible night drop in air temperature. It is important for cucumber crops and the preservation of moisture in the soil.
After the appearance of sprouts and the formation of the first leaves on them, I examine each hole. If there are several plants in it, I leave the strongest shoot. The remaining shoots are carefully cut off at the root. Some gardeners practice careful digging and repotting, but I try not to injure sensitive seedlings.
Further care involves tying and pinching fast-growing lashes, systematic watering. I will definitely do a weeding. To keep the soil in a loose state, I lay a mulch layer. I feed three times during the growing season with a mineral complex, gradually reducing the concentration of nitrogen.
If you practice sowing cucumbers directly on open beds, please tell us about your experience.
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