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?
How to Plant & Grow Cucumbers in Phoenix
Cucumbers are a warm-season vegetable and prefer to be planted when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees. They can be planted in Phoenix at the end of February through April. Cucumbers can be planted again in September.
Sow several seeds in one spot and cover with about an inch of dirt. Plant at least 18 inches apart to give the cucumber vine plant room to grow. If planting seeds you can expect to see seedlings within a couple weeks.
The space you decide to plant your cucumbers should determine the best form to grow. 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 water 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.
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.
