When growing them yourself, it is essential to know when to water cucumber plants. Who doesn’t like a fresh, crisp piece of cucumber in their salad or refreshing water? On top of these benefits, a lot of us also enjoy the beauty of this plant while it is growing.
In this article, we will discuss everything about how to take proper care of your cucumber plants, the importance of a good watering schedule, and what you need to do to get the best out of your cucumber plants.
About Cucumbers
Cucumbers are widely cultivated creeping vine plants of the Cucurbitaceae family. They originate in South Asia but are currently cultivated in many countries worldwide.
Cucumber Varieties
There are many different varieties of cucumbers available in the market today. These versatile plants can be incorporated into many dishes, drinks, salads, and can be pickled. The many different uses of this vegetable make it a favorite among many.
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
Cucumbers also have a bunch of health benefits. But the one big thing about them is their high water content. A raw cucumber with the peel on is 95% water! So while enjoying your cucumber, you are also getting hydration. Isn’t that just awesome?
However, even though they are mostly water, there is a specific way you should water your cucumbers to keep them healthy and happy.
What Is The Best Way To Water Cucumber Plants?
So when, how often and how much water should you give your cucumber plants? When it comes to the best way to water your cucumber plants, a variety of factors should be considered. Factors such as whether the cucumber is planted in the soil or in a pot, whether it is exposed to direct sunlight or partial shade, as well as how dry the soil is at that moment are important.
Generally, the way to determine whether or not your cucumber plants need to be watered is to check whether the soil is dry. If the top 1/2 inch of your soil is still damp, do not water. If it is dry, then your plant needs to be watered.
When To Water Cucumber Seedlings
Cucumber seedlings need a lot of water when they are still growing and getting established. Because they are often grown in bunches, cucumber seedlings can soak up moisture quite quickly and the soil may get dry faster. But do not worry, they are very quick to respond and will let you know when they need water. So when you see them looking like they are wilting, give them a sprinkle and you will see them “wake up”.
It is better to water cucumber seedings often, at low rates than to give them a flood of irrigation at once. Flooding them is risky as it may wash away the soil and cause the seedlings to uproot themselves. Remember, their roots are not yet established.
Should I Water Cucumber Plants Every Day?
The only cucumber plants that you should water every day are seedlings that are still getting established. Even then, only give them a light sprinkle, just to wet the soil.
Once the plant gets establishes, only water when the top 1/2 inch has dried. This will not be every day unless if the cucumber plants are exposed to extremely hot temperatures.
How Do You Tell If You Are Overwatering Cucumbers?
We often think of wilting only as a sign that a plant needs water, but did you know cucumbers also wilt when they are being overwatered? You should check the moisture of the soil when you observe the plant leaves wilting, sometimes it is not a lack of water sign.
Do Cucumbers Like Wet Soil?
It is important to keep the soil in which your cucumbers are grown moist, because cucumbers love moisture in their soil. You should however be careful to just keep the soil damp and not drenched. Cucumber seedlings especially are prone to “drowning” when they are flooded with water. So you should only give them small amounts of water at a time.
Improving Moisture Retention Capacity Of Soil Around Cucumber Plants
Sometimes as your cucumber plants grow, for example along a trellis, there may not be enough leaves covering the ground. This will often result in the water evaporating faster and the soil around your plants getting drier faster. You can help reduce the loss of water by mulching. Mulch will help keep the moisture in the soil for longer, saving you the trouble of having to irrigate often.
Other Pointers For Growing Cucumber Plants Well
- plant them in temperatures between 75 to 85 degrees F
- space your cucumber plants 36 to 60 inches apart
- provide them with extra nutrients by adding a thick layer of organic matter to the soil around them
- you can also supplement their nutrients by giving them a soluble fertilizer
- maintain the soil pH at 6.0 – 6.8
- harvest your cucumbers when they are big enough to eat. If you leave them for too long, they will get bitter
Conclusion – When To Water Cucumber Plants
We hope that this article gave you all the information and tips you needed to be able to grow and water your cucumbers well. Although they are a very easy plant to take care of, an incorrect feeding schedule can spell disaster for your cucumber crop. But now that you have read this article, that worry is no longer relevant to you. You can now confidently go and grow and enjoy your cucumbers.
Remember that you only need to water your cucumber plants when the soil around them is dry. If it is damp, you do not need to water them.
You do not need to worry if you have to go for days without watering your plants. Many factors contribute to this. As long as the soil is moist and your plants look happy and healthy, you should not worry about watering.
If you enjoyed this article or found it useful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends.
Happy gardening.
An aquaculture specialist and freelance writer. Passionate about anything sustainable living, such as growing your own food, and if you can do it in conjunction with fish farming, even better! I currently work as an aquaculture researcher where I can expand and share my knowledge and skills on aquaculture, crop farming and adding value to wastewater by using it to grow food products. I enjoy reading and learning as much as possible, and writing is another avenue for me to share the knowledge I gain with others. I want my writing to inspire people to try their hand at gardening, whether indoors or outdoors. You can even start by keeping a few houseplants indoors to help you gain a bit of confidence if you need to.