Vegetables/Moderate
Cucumbers
Cucumis sativus
Cucumbers grow best trained vertically up a net or trellis — it keeps fruit clean, straight, and off slug patrol. Outdoor 'ridge' varieties like Marketmore are hardier; smooth-skinned greenhouse varieties are sweeter but need shelter.
They are 96% water, so keep the soil consistently damp — dry spells produce bitter fruit. Feed weekly with a tomato feed once flowering starts, and pick every couple of days: leaving one giant cucumber on the vine tells the plant its job is done.
Year at a glance
Common problems
Bitter fruit
Water stress or old fruit. Water evenly and pick young.
Yellow leaves with green veins
Nitrogen or magnesium deficiency. Feed with a balanced liquid feed and mulch.
Full guide: Yellow Leaves →Whitish powder on leaves
Powdery mildew — improve airflow, water at the base.
Full guide: Powdery Mildew →Questions, answered
Why are my cucumbers bitter?+
Almost always inconsistent watering during a heatwave. Mulch heavily and water deeply every 2–3 days.
Do cucumbers need pollination?+
Outdoor ridge types need bees; many greenhouse varieties (marked 'all-female') set fruit without pollination and shouldn't be pollinated at all.
How often should I pick cucumbers?+
Every 2–3 days at peak season. Regular picking tells the plant to keep producing.