2024 Cucumbers - A Season of Soil Lessons and a Late Comeback
Cucumbers 2024: A Season of Soil Lessons and a Late Comeback
2024 was a tough year for cucumbers, thanks to my ongoing battle with poor soil. Usually, I have great success growing cucumbers from seed, but this year? Not so much. The nutrient-deficient soil put an early stop to any cucumber dreams, and for a while, it looked like this season would be a total loss.
The Turning Point: Transplants to the Rescue
Once the soil was amended, I pivoted and planted transplants instead of seeds, and thankfully, this saved the season. The result? Incredible long English cucumbers—crisp, fresh, and completely worth the effort.
My Growing Method: Going Vertical
While cucumbers can be left to sprawl along the ground, I prefer to train them up a trellis or structure. Why?
Prevents rot & pest issues – Keeping the fruit off the ground means less chance of bug damage and rot.
Encourages long, straight cucumbers – Without the twisting and bending that can happen when they grow on the soil.
Saves space – A vertical setup maximizes garden space and makes harvesting so much easier.
Final Verdict? A Win in the End!
Despite the rocky start, the transplanted cucumbers flourished, and we ended up enjoying an incredible harvest. It was a reminder that gardening isn’t always predictable, but with a little adaptability (and better soil!), even a challenging season can end in delicious success.
Looking ahead, I’ll be making sure my soil is prepped and ready from the start—because cucumbers deserve better than the rough start they got in 2024! 🥒✨
