You can grow cucumbers in Phoenix twice a year. Once in the spring and in the fall. There are two forms of cucumbers: vining and bush. Cucumbers are a versatile vegetable and can be found in several varieties including pickling, slicing and seedless types.
Phoenix Garden Questions
- When and how to plant cucumbers
- What grows well near cucumbers and what doesn’t?
- How to care for cucumber plants
- Harvesting cucumbers-when is the ideal time to pick cucumbers?
- Cucumbers not growing? Common reasons why
Types of Cucumbers
Two popular types are Armenian and English cucumbers. Ironically Armenian cucumbers are actually part of the muskmelon family, however they resemble an English cucumber and they taste like a cucumber. They are milder tasting and often grow in a curved shape. Armenian cucumbers are a more drought tolerant variety of cucumber making them popular in southwest gardens.
English cucumbers are sweeter than American cucumbers. They are long and slender and also have less seeds.
American cucumbers are shorter cucumbers, they have more seeds and are lean on the bitter tasting side.
The Best Time to Plant Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a warm-season vegetable. Cucumbers thrive when the soil temperature is consistently above 60°F (15°C) and the air temperature is above 70°F . Cucumbers are very susceptible to freezing weather, so in cooler regions this means it is best to sow cucumbers in late spring or early summer.
The Best Time to Plant Cucumbers in Phoenix
In gardening zone 9b or in Phoenix plant cucumbers at the end of February through the month of April. Cucumbers can be planted again in September.
How to Plant & Grow Cucumbers in Phoenix
Cucumber’s roots will need at least 12 inches of space, so till your garden soil at least one foot. Sow several seeds in one spot and cover with about an inch of dirt. Seedlings should sprout in 7-14 days. Plant at least 18 inches apart to give the cucumber vine plant room to grow. Ideally, cucumbers prefer 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
To determine the best cucumber form to grow consider your available space. If you have vertical space choose a vining form and if you prefer to plant cucumbers as a container plant a bush form would work better.
Companion Plants for Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow well with radishes, peas, beans, and sunflowers. They do not care to share space with potatoes or herbs.
How to Care For Cucumbers
Light Requirements: Cucumbers need full sun or about 6 hours of sun a day.
Soil Requirements: Prefers sandy loam well-drained soil. Cucumbers can grow in any soil if it has good drainage. Cucumbers like neutral and slightly acidic pH. The soil pH range of 6 -6.5 is ideal.
Water Requirements: Cucumbers like moist soil. If the soil is too dry or over watered, cucumbers can become bitter tasting.
When to Harvest Cucumbers in Phoenix
Cucumbers take 60-90 days from the day of planting until harvest day. Cucumbers planted in the spring can be ready to harvest by May or June. Seeds planted in September can be ready to harvest by November. Harvest slicing cucumbers when they are between 6-8 inches. Harvest pickling cucumbers when they are between 2-4 inches long.
At maturity plants have a spread of 8 inches and a height maturity of 18 inches. Fruit is about 3-6 inches depending on the variety.
Cucumbers Not Growing?
If your cucumber seeds aren’t germinating it may be that the soil is too cold. Cucumbers need warm soil to germinate. Ideally the soil temperature should be around 70-95°F
Cucumbers taste bitter? In Phoenix this is usually due to inconsistent watering.
Gardening for Beginners: How to Grow Vegetables in Phoenix Arizona