Fertilizing cucumbers - when, with what & how often?

Cucumbers fertilize from sowing to harvest

Cucumbers fertilize when planting

Anyone who grows cucumbers and appreciates fresh organic quality cucumbers from their own garden places high demands on soil, climate and nutrient supply. Young cucumber plants also dream of loose, humus-rich soil with a pH value of 6.5 to 7 and of manure. A proven recipe for a cucumber substrate here at Cucumber Plant. A basic distinction is made between the two variants when fertilizing cucumbers:

Basic fertilization with manure
1 kg per square meter (plus nitrogen, phosphate and potassium).
Basic fertilization without manure
30 grams of compound fertilizer per square meter (plus horn shavings (€ 6.39 on Amazon *) and horn meal).

Cucumbers fertilize as they grow

Cucumber plants are heavy eaters and need a lot of feed in the form of fertilizer so that they develop plenty of healthy fruit by the time they are harvested. Foliar fertilization with self-made nettle manure supports the cucumbers with minerals during their growing season and protects them from dangerous pests. Simply spray the cucumber leaves all around with nettle liquid. Nettle manure is easy and free to make yourself. That's how it's done:

Cut 1 kilogram of nettles into small pieces
Add 10 liters of water
Let it steep for 2 to 3 weeks

Place the nettle manure in a sunny place in the garden and stir daily. After 2 to 3 weeks, pour the mixture through a sieve. Dilute the liquid manure in a ratio of 1:10 with water and water and spray cucumber plants once a week.

Cucumbers fertilize during flowering

During the flowering period, cucumber plants need magnesium and trace elements. In addition, loosen the soil and work in some rock flour (€ 14.95 at Amazon *). After a short time you should see the positive effect from the lush fruit formation.

Less fertilizing is more

If you give too much fertilizer before fruit formation, you will get bushy plants with lush leaves but little fruit. If no long-term fertilizer is used, liquid fertilizer is added every 2 weeks when pouring cucumbers. When the cucumber plants bloom and produce the first fruits then fertilize weekly.

Cucumber plants are sensitive to salt. They require little nitrogen and chlorine. Therefore avoid fertilizers with a high nitrogen or chlorine content. Blue grain is particularly suitable for cucumbers in the bucket. But beware! The artificial fertilizer is difficult to dose and increases the salt content in the soil, which can burn the roots. Not every soil needs additional fertilization. If it is composted and nutritious, too much fertilizer is quickly damaging. Since cucumbers are a food, it is better to use organic fertilizers.