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To get a fresh harvest of cucumbers earlier, gardeners plant seedlings in the ground. There are many tips on how to properly grow it at home. The finished seedlings are placed in moist soil. An experienced gardener will provide young plants with shelter in the form of a special film.
What days to plant cucumber seedlings
In order for seedlings to take root well in the garden bed in 2024, they need to be planted on time. If you wait until the plants bloom on the windowsill, they may not produce a harvest after planting in the soil.
On average, 20-25 days are enough for seedlings, and they will be ready to move to the garden bed. Based on this period, it is possible to calculate when in 2024 it is time sowing cucumbers for seedlings. Plants that have 2-3 full leaves should be planted in the ground. 2024 is the perfect time for landing seedlings occur in the second half of April and May.
Cucumbers are planted in the following order: first, greenhouse self-pollinating varieties, then cucumbers for film shelters, and lastly, for open ground.
The plant, ready for planting, has a couple of large leaves, and its roots occupy the pot.In order for the sprouts to adapt better, a week before moving them into the ground they need to be kept at a lower temperature (+18 degrees) and placed near an open window. However, tender seedlings must be protected from direct sunlight.
When to plant seedlings according to the lunar calendar
To grow a rich harvest, you need to properly prepare the seedlings and plant them at a favorable time. When a transplant falls on a new moon or full moon, this negatively affects the growth and development of plants. If you rely on the lunar calendar, you can avoid such days.
In addition to the general rules and the lunar calendar, you should take into account the climatic features of the region where planting is planned. For example, in the Urals the soil will warm up only by mid-May. Therefore, seedlings are transferred to open ground no earlier than June 5-12. At night, the bed is covered with film.
In the regions of the Far East and Siberia, cucumbers can only be grown in greenhouses. At the same time, in order to maintain a sufficiently high temperature, so-called warm beds are arranged. They are made from a mixture with manure or compost. Due to chemical reactions in such soil, the temperature rises.
The microclimate in the room where the pots with seedlings will be located plays an important role. At an air temperature of about 23-25 degrees, the seeds will germinate within three days after sowing. If the temperature does not reach 20 degrees, you will have to wait a week for green sprouts. They may not rise at all.
Where to place the seedlings
When growing seedlings at home, it becomes necessary to transplant the plants into open ground.It is important to prevent damage to the roots. One way to do this is to plant the plants in organic pots, which can then be placed entirely in the ground. There are several options.
- Peat tablets. The seeds will germinate quickly in them. When the sprouts become cramped in them, they are planted in a bed with a film cover or in a greenhouse.
- peat pot. It is recommended to place it in a plastic container to reduce the evaporation of liquid and prevent the soil from drying out. Immediately before planting, the peat walls are slightly crushed. Then their decomposition will accelerate, and the roots will be able to grow freely in the soil.
- Newspaper pot. An economical alternative to a peat container. You can also place seedlings in the ground together with a pot. It is worth considering that such a container will not last long.
- Eggshell. This method is suitable for germinating seeds. A large sprout will not develop there; it will not have enough soil. However, it would be quite appropriate to germinate the seeds a week before planting in open ground.
- A plastic cup. Perhaps the most common method. Yogurt jars and similar containers will work. Several holes need to be made in the bottom to allow oxygen to enter. When the seedlings are ready to be planted in open ground, the cup is simply cut and its entire contents are placed in the soil. Then the sprout is sprinkled with earth and lightly tamped down.
It will take a lot of time to prepare cucumber seedlings. It is important to plant plants correctly in the soil without damaging their roots. If you follow all the recommendations, preparing seedlings will allow you to grow fresh cucumbers earlier.
How to prepare the soil
In order for the sprouts to take root quickly and produce a good harvest, the soil in the garden bed must be prepared. Below are the main steps.
- Fertilizing, there should be enough organic compounds in the soil.
- Moisturize immediately before planting.
- Preparing the holes.
The best results are obtained by planting seedlings under cover. The young plant is still too tender and must be protected from possible night frosts and other adverse effects.
In 2024, the optimal time for planting seedlings in open ground is the end of May or the first ten days of June. If the night frosts have not yet passed, it is correct to provide shelter for the cucumbers. Arcs made of wire or wood are attached over the seedlings, and a special film is laid on them. As soon as the heat sets in, the shelter can be removed.
Caring for planted plants
Features of care will depend largely on the chosen variety of cucumbers. In this case, any seedlings moved into the ground will need:
- timely soil moisture;
- loosening the earth;
- bush formation;
- weeding weed.
The sprouts are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. It is not recommended to plant cucumbers too closely. The exact value can be found on the seed packet.
Cucumbers are heat-loving and need regular watering. It should be especially abundant in hot weather. Plants require more moisture when flowers and ovaries appear. To water cucumbers, it is correct to use warm water.
To get a good harvest of cucumbers in 2024, it is worth preparing the seedlings correctly. Seeds need to be sown 20-25 days before the planned planting in open ground. The best time to place plants in beds is from late May to early June.It is recommended to cover young plants to protect them from adverse environmental influences.
