Determining when to plant cucumbers in Missouri is a challenging task. Cucumbers are warm-season vegetables which means they need a lot of heat and long days in order to grow well.
This makes it difficult to have homegrown cucumbers in Missouri until late July or early August, but if you can get ahold of a greenhouse, you could possibly start them as early as late April.
When Should You Plant Cucumbers in Missouri: The Short Answer
Cucumbers do best in Missouri when they are planted between April 5 and May 25. They can be harvested within a period of 75 to 80 days after being planted from seedlings. Cucumbers should not be allowed to grow larger than 4 inches for optimum taste and flavor.
Growing Cucumbers in Missouri
Cucumbers are fairly easy to grow and adapt well to most soil conditions. If you garden on ground that is mostly clay, make sure the area has good drainage.
Cucumbers can be vining or bush varieties and need space to sprawl out for good fruit production.
Try to grow cucumbers on a trellis as opposed to allowing them to sprawl along the ground. This not only saves space but also keeps the fruits off of dirty garden soil where they can be affected by harmful bacteria and other diseases.
Sunlight Needs
Cucumbers should be planted in a sunny area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Try growing them in your vegetable garden or if you have the space, plant them in their own designated area.
Soil Needs
Cucumbers are not picky about soil conditions but you do want to make sure they get good drainage. Gardeners with clay soils should consider planting cucumbers above raised beds which allow more oxygen to reach the plants’ roots.
Wait Until after the Last Frost
You should plant cucumbers in Missouri in the spring once all threat of frost has passed and the soil is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
Make sure you wait until your last possible frost date to plant cucumbers so they have time to grow before it gets too cold again.
Plant Your Cucumbers an Inch Apart
Cucumber seeds should be planted about one inch apart and at a depth of about one inch. Be sure to keep the soil moist until they germinate.
Do not plant cucumbers in the same area every year because they are great at sucking nutrients out of soil.
Pollination
Cucumbers should be well pollinated in order to bear fruit, so it is important not to plant them too close together. Cucumbers need a lot of room for their vines and leaves because cucumbers are heavy feeders.
Tips for Growing Cucumbers in Missouri
If you are having trouble growing cucumbers in Missouri, try using plastic mulch around the base of your vines. Plastic mulch can raise soil temperatures by 10 degrees Fahrenheit and is an inexpensive way to gain a few extra weeks for your cucumbers to mature.
You can also invest in bottom heat which keeps soil at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit above the ambient air temperature. This means you can plant your cucumbers earlier in the season because of this extra heat.
When Should You Plant Cucumbers in Missouri: Start them Early and Inside
Cucumbers are sensitive plants and it is best to start them indoors six weeks before your last frost date. If you decide to try starting them inside, place them about an inch beneath grow lights or fluorescent bulbs that are kept on for 14 hours a day.
It is important not to over water cucumber seedlings while they are inside so the soil does not become soggy and rot their roots.
When to Harvest Cucumbers in Missouri
Cucumbers can be harvested when they are small, three inches in length, but must be picked every other day to encourage further fruit production. If you let them stay on the vine too long, they will become bitter and tough.
Cucumbers can be harvested when they are small, three inches in length, but must be picked every other day to encourage further fruit production. If you let them stay on the vine too long, they will become bitter and tough.
Conclusion
The time it takes for cucumbers to grow in Missouri depends entirely on when your last frost date is. Cucumbers are very sensitive plants so if there is a threat of frost after you have planted them, cover them with plastic sheets or bring them indoors until the danger has passed.