Do You Need to Plant Cucumbers in Groups of Three? (2024)
By Larry Hodgson
Question:I recently read that cucumbers should be sown in groups of three plants to ensure good pollination, but I don’t understand why. And does this also apply to other cucurbits such as watermelons?
Answer:I think you’re confusing two different aspects of cucumber culture.
Planting cucumbers (or other cucurbits) in groups has nothing to do with pollination. You can easily grow a cucumber (or a melon, squash or watermelon) all on its own and still get an excellent harvest, because cucumbers self-pollinate readily. That is, pollen from a male flower can fertilize easily a female flower from the same plant. There is no need for a different specimen nearby for pollination, although that’s fine too. All you need is a cooperative local bee!
However, there are two different traditions when it comes to sowing cucumbers.
The older fashion was to grow cucumbers on “hills,” that is, mounds of soil, usually about 6 inches (15cm) high and 12 inches (30cm) across, spaced well apart (often about 3ft/90cm). Usually 4 to 6 seeds are sown on the hill, then thinned to 2 or 3 plants, keeping the strongest specimens. The idea was that the hill would warm up earlier in the spring and allow earlier sowing; plus excess water would drain away because it was raised above the surrounding soil. Usually such plants were allowed to “run”: sprawl over the ground.
The hilling method is especially logical when the soil is heavy and drains poorly or is slow to warm up in the spring. The downside is that the fruits touch the soil and can be more easily damaged by slugs, insects or animals.
The more modern method is to simply sow cucumbers about 9 to 18 inches (12 to 45cm) apart (this could be in a row, a circle, a square: you choose) without mounding the soil. In square foot gardening, two plants are usually sown per 1 foot (30cm) square. Then the plants are encouraged to use their tendrils to grow up a stake, a trellis or garden netting, thus allowing the individual plants to get plenty of sunlight even if they are closely spaced.
This method is well adapted to the no-till gardening methods so popular today and is probably the simplest choice for raised beds, which by their very nature warm up early in the spring and are already well drained.
Both techniques give good results. So, really, you can take your pick.
I used to hill up my cucumbers back when I had a big vegetable bed with plenty of gardening space, following the method my father taught me when I was a kid, but since I found myself with less space, have switched to the more intensive close-spacing method.
The Other Cucurbits
The information above also applies to other cucurbits (squash, melons, watermelons, etc.). Only the spacing will change, as that depends on the eventual size of the plant … and some squashes and melons, especially, take up alotof space! The seed packet normally gives recommended spacing according to the variety you are growing.
The Cucurbitaceae (/kjuːˌkɜːrbɪˈteɪsiːˌiː/), also called cucurbits or the gourd family, are a plant family consisting of about 965 species in around 95 genera.
) in groups has nothing to do with pollination. You can easily grow a cucumber (or a melon, squash or watermelon) all on its own and still get an excellent harvest, because cucumbers self-pollinate readily.
Cucumbers are generally direct-seeded into the garden and do better in the ground than in containers. Create a raised row about 6 inches high and 12 inches wide. Multiple rows should be around thirty-six inches apart. Cucumber seeds should be planted in groups of seed every 5 to 8 feet.
Sow seeds 1 inch deep and about 3 to 5 feet apart in a row, depending on variety (see seed packet for details). For vines trained on a trellis, space seeds or plants 1 foot apart. Cucumbers can also be planted in mounds (or “hills”) that are spaced 1 to 2 feet apart, with 2 to 3 seeds planted in each mound.
While cucumbers can survive with just light, air, water, and soil, they can perform even better when paired with a companion plant. Yes, you heard that right! Cucumber companion plants, or intercrops, are essential in boosting yields and improving the plant's defense against harmful microorganisms.
Planting cucumber seeds on a hill helps keep water away from the base of the plant and allows the ground to be warmer for planting. However, planting in a raised bed that drains well or when trellising vines, you don't have to plant in mounds.
Fungal diseases like these thrive in humid conditions, and the closer your plants are spaced, the lower the air circulation is around them. Planting cucumber plants too closely can lead to a higher risk of disease. By following good cucumber plant spacing guidelines, you'll reduce disease prevalence.
You can easily grow a cucumber (or a melon, squash or watermelon) all on its own and still get an excellent harvest, because cucumbers self-pollinate readily. That is, pollen from a male flower can fertilize easily a female flower from the same plant.
Cucumbers are normally planted in "hills." Plant 4 to 5 seeds per hill at a depth of 1 inch. Later, remove all but 2 or 3 plants per hill when seedlings have 1 or 2 true leaves. For an earlier crop, cucumbers can be started indoors.
Even in large gardens where cucumbers have room to spread out along the ground, growing cucumbers on a trellis provides many benefits. Trellis-grown vines produce higher yields than those on the ground, and by growing upward instead of outward, you can produce significantly more fruit per square foot.
Cucumbers thrive best at relatively high temperatures, between 75 to 85 degrees F. The plants do not tolerate frost. Since they are a quick-growing crop, they must be well supplied with moisture and plant nutrients throughout the growing season. Water is especially critical for cucumbers during the fruiting stage.
They can be grown on hills, in rows, on trellises, or in containers, so there's a variety just perfect for you, no matter where you live or how large or small your gardening space.
Cucumber varieties may cross with one another. However, the quality of this year's crop is not affected. (An exception is the cross-pollination of parthenocarpic cucumber varieties with standard varieties.
Follow your seed packet or plant tag instructions on spacing your rows, but most cucumbers call for rows 3 to 4 feet apart. If you're planting vining cucumbers, install a trellis about 6 feet tall.
Cucumber should be planted when soils are 65°F or after all frost danger has past. Plant 4-6 seeds every 12-18 inches in rows 4 feet apart. After they have two leaves, thin to 2 plants per location. Transplants should be planted 2 feet apart in row, with rows 4 feet apart.
Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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