Cucumis (Cucumis sativus) have large leaves and very long tendrils and should therefore be allowed to grow on a trellis or trellis tunnel in a warm location.
How do you plant cucumbers in raised beds?
For cucumbers in raised beds, you should spread a 40 cm thick layer of manure in April or May, add 10 to 15 cm of nutrient-rich soil on top, water well and after 3 to 5 days sow seeds at a distance of 100 x 40 cm. Cucumbers need a lot of warmth, nutrients and climbing aids such as trellises or trellis tunnels.
Sowing directly into the prepared raised bed
Before you sow the cucumber seeds in the raised bed, you should create the right substrate for the nutrient-requiring and heat-loving plants: In April, or at the latest shortly before sowing in May, spread a layer of fresh horse manure about 40 centimeters thick in the bed, distribute it loosely and press it firmly. This is followed by a layer of approximately 10 to 15 centimeters thick of nutrient-rich plant or compost soil. Pour the mixture well and cover it with foil for three days. After three to five days you can finally sow the seeds at a distance of 100 x 40 centimeters and to a depth of two centimeters.
Good neighbors in the cucumber patch
Sweet corn can be planted with cucumbers in warm, sunny locations and on low beds. But the following vegetables also harmonize very well:
- Onions, leeks and garlic
- Beans and peas
- Celery
- Fennel
- cabbage
- Lettuce and spinach
- Carrots, kohlrabi and zucchini
- Potatoes
However, cucumbers do not mix well with tomatoes, radishes and radishes.
Cucumbers need warmth and lots of nutrients
Cucumbers have a very high nutrient and water requirement, which is why you should always mulch them well and, if necessary, fertilize them again in July. Since these plants also love warmth, we recommend covering the mesh tunnel (€7.00 on Amazon) with foil or fleece. Alternatively, you can also cultivate the plants under a greenhouse attachment you have built yourself or purchased ready-made. The mini or midi varieties are best suited for growing in raised beds, with the refined versions in particular being both robust against various fungal diseases and very productive. The harvest begins four to six weeks after planting, provided you have planted young plants in the bed instead of seeds.
Tip
Cucumbers can develop very long tendrils and shoots that grow from the raised bed down to the ground. Snails like to use these as a ladder to get into the raised bed and feast on leaves and fruit. To avoid this, you should shorten the tendrils or direct them upwards again.
