Growing Cucumbers on an Allotment

Cucumbers are fast-growing, high-yielding plants that thrive in warm conditions. They’re perfect for allotments, greenhouses, polytunnels, and even large containers. With the right watering and feeding routine, a few plants can provide a steady harvest all summer.

This guide explains how to grow different types of cucumbers, from seed or plug plants, when and how to plant, spacing, watering and feeding, common pests and diseases, container vs ground growing, and proven ways to improve yields.

🌱 1. Types of Cucumbers You Can Grow

🥒 Outdoor (Ridge) Cucumbers

• Shorter, ridged fruits

• Tougher skin

• Ideal for outdoor growing

• Good disease resistance

🥒 Indoor / Greenhouse Cucumbers

• Long, smooth fruits

• Thin skin, sweeter flavour

• Need shelter and warmth

🥒 Snack / Mini Cucumbers

• Small, prolific fruits

• Excellent for containers

• Harvest young and often

🌰 2. Ways to Grow Cucumbers

From Seed (Most Common)

Pros

• Cheap and reliable

• Wide choice of varieties

• Strong plants

Cons

• Need warmth to germinate

Plug Plants

Young cucumber plants supplied ready-grown.

Pros

• Faster start

• Ideal for late planting

Cons

• More expensive

• Limited variety choice

👉 Both methods work well — warmth, water, and feeding matter more than starting method.

🗓️ 3. When to Sow & Plant Cucumbers

From Seed

• Sow indoors: April

• Sow outdoors: Late May–June (after last frost)

Plug Plants

• Plant out: Late May–June

Cucumbers are frost-tender and need warm soil.

🌾 4. How to Grow Cucumbers in the Ground

Soil Requirements

• Rich, moisture-retentive soil

• Free-draining

• Sheltered, sunny position

Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

Spacing

• Outdoor ridge cucumbers:
  60–90cm between plants

• Climbing cucumbers:
  45–60cm apart

Good spacing improves airflow and reduces disease.

Supports

Climbing cucumbers benefit from:

• trellis

• netting

• strong canes

Supports keep fruit clean and improve yields.

🪴 5. Growing Cucumbers in Containers

Cucumbers grow very well in containers with enough space.

Container Guidelines

• Minimum size: 30–40 litres per plant

• One plant per pot

• Use rich, free-draining compost

Container plants need very regular watering and feeding.

💧 6. Watering Cucumbers (Critical)

Cucumbers are extremely thirsty plants.

Best Practice

• Water little and often

• Keep soil consistently moist

• Water at the base, not leaves

Irregular watering causes:

• bitter fruit

• curved cucumbers

• flower drop

Mulch heavily to retain moisture.

🌿 7. Feeding Cucumbers

Cucumbers are heavy feeders.

Feeding Schedule

• Compost/manure at planting

• Start feeding once flowers appear

• Feed weekly with tomato or general liquid feed

Lack of feeding = poor yields and pale leaves.

✂️ 8. Pruning & Training Cucumbers

Outdoor Cucumbers

• Pinch out growing tip after 5–7 leaves

• Encourages side shoots and fruiting

Indoor Cucumbers

• Remove side shoots up to a certain height

• Follow variety instructions

Training improves airflow and fruit quality.

🐛 9. Common Pests & Diseases

Aphids

• Cluster on young growth

Control

• Water spray

• Encourage ladybirds

Powdery Mildew (Most Common)

Symptoms

• White powdery coating on leaves

Causes

• Dry roots

• Poor airflow

Prevention

• Consistent watering

• Good spacing

• Remove badly affected leaves

Cucumber Mosaic Virus

• Mottled, distorted leaves

• Spread by aphids

Remove affected plants immediately.

🧺 10. Harvesting Cucumbers

• Harvest regularly while fruits are young

• Pick every 2–3 days in peak season

• Use a sharp knife or scissors

Leaving fruit too long reduces further production.

🌾 11. Improving Cucumber Yields

• Warm soil before planting

• Consistent watering

• Weekly feeding

• Regular harvesting

• Vertical growing where possible

Cucumbers reward attention and consistency.

⚡ Quick Cucumber Growing Tips

• Never let plants dry out

• Grow upwards to save space

• Mulch heavily in summer

• One or two plants often supply a household

Photo by Harshal S. Hirve on Unsplash