In order to successfully grow a bountiful crop of cucumbers, it is necessary to carefully prepare the beds. There are several types of beds suitable for cucumbers: warm, organic, vertical, tall, and sunken.
For planting cucumbers, it is better to choose a location protected from cold winds, where leguminous crops such as beans or peas used to grow. These plants enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is necessary for cucumbers. Various types of cabbage, lettuce, and other green crops grow well next to cucumbers, contributing to their flourishing.
Preparation of the bed for planting cucumbers is done using organic materials such as manure (1 kg per square meter), mown grass, and compost. If the bed was not prepared in the fall, it can be done in the spring a couple of weeks before sowing seeds or planting seedlings. Warm beds enriched with organic matter are considered ideal for planting cucumbers.
Organic Bed for Cucumbers
To create such a bed, horse, cow, or goat manure is used. When it decomposes, heat is released, which is retained in the soil for a long time, simultaneously enriching it with beneficial elements.
Dig a hole 40-50 centimeters deep. Place branches, dry grass, fallen leaves from last year at the bottom, then add a layer of manure 18-22 cm thick and cover it with regular soil, sprinkling wood ash on top. Water the bed with warm water, then cover it with black polyethylene film and leave it for a week.
During this time, the soil will settle and warm up, fermentation and heating processes will begin. After a week, remove the film, water the bed generously again, and cover it for another 7-10 days. After that, you will be ready to plant cucumbers.
After removing the film, check the soil temperature. If it is too high, leave the bed uncovered for 3-4 days to prevent the seedlings from overheating. Alternatively, you can make holes in the bed, fill them with soil from another area, and then proceed with planting seedlings or sowing seeds.