Irrigation and Fertilization Plans

How often to water cucumber plants

When it comes to how often to water cucumber plants, the answer depends on a variety of factors. For example, is the cucumber plant planted in a pot or in the ground? Is it in direct sunlight or does it only get a partial day of direct sunlight? What has the weather been like recently?

Generally speaking, the best way to determine how often to water your cucumber plant is to check the top half-inch of soil for dampness. As a rule of thumb, if it’s dried out, give the cucumber plant some water. If it’s still damp or moist in the top half-inch, then no need to water the cucumber plant.

Watering cucumbers seedlings

When it comes to how often to water cucumbers seedlings, you want to make sure you give your young cucumber plant the water it needs for its early growth.

Sometimes cucumber plant seedlings are grown in bunches. These may soak up moisture faster, so keep tabs on the dampness of the soil for these seedlings.

It’s best to water them lightly more frequently than watering them a lot less frequently. Seedlings are more susceptible to “drowning” when they are overwatered. Too much water at once can also cause the plant to uproot itself, as soil washes away easier when the plant doesn’t have a solid root structure in place.

Plan on watering your cucumber seedlings every few days, or even daily. Keep an eye on the surface level dryness of the soil, and give the seedlings a sprinkle if it doesn’t look moist.

Cucumber seedlings are faster to show it if they don’t have enough water, so if the plant is wilting and the soil is dry, not enough water is probably the problem.

Watering an established cucumber plant

Established cucumber plants should be watered when the top half-inch of soil is dry. Below are specific growing scenarios and information on how often to water the cucumber plant for each.

When to water cucumbers that is planted outside

cucumber planted outside is often healthier, as there’s more chance of direct sunlight, and airflow generally helps to protect it against disease.

Plan on watering your established cucumber plant a few times a week when it’s planted outside. If you’re not sure whether it needs to be watered, you can check if the surface level soil is moist, or if the cucumber plant is wilting.

When to water cucumbers that is planted inside

cucumber plants that are planted inside may not need as much water, as direct sunlight is normally not available. Be extra careful that you aren’t overwatering the cucumber plant inside.

If the cucumber plant is wilting, that could be a sign that it is under or over-watered. Keep track of how moist the soil is to know the difference before watering the cucumber plant more.

When to water cucumber planted in the landscape

cucumbers that are planted in the landscape are able to pull up some moisture from the ground, so it won’t need to be watered as much as cucumber plants are grown in a container.

When to water cucumber planted in containers

As mentioned previously, cucumbers that are planted in a container will need to be watered more frequently since they don’t have natural water in the ground as a source of hydration.

Crop Guide: Cucumber Fertilization Recommendations