How to Grow Cucumbers in Grow Bags: A Beginner's Guide
Cucumbers in grow bags
Say goodbye to store-bought cucumbers and hello to the unbeatable flavor of homegrown ones, fresh off the vine!
Trust me, your taste buds won't know what hit them when they experience this incredible difference.
If you're seeking an easy and space-efficient method for planting cucumbers, look no further than grow bags. These versatile containers offer a fantastic way to cultivate a bountiful harvest without occupying too much of your precious garden space.
With the right soil, fertilizer, and watering schedule, you can have a successful harvest of delicious cucumbers in no time.
Want to learn how to get started? Keep reading to find out more about planting cucumbers in grow bags!
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Benefits of Growing Cucumbers in Grow Bags
Growing cucumbers in fabric pots is becoming an increasingly popular way to cultivate these nutritious vegetables.
Growing cucumbers in a container such as grow bags offer some perks that you can't get from traditional gardening methods.
Some benefits of planting in grow bags include:
Save Space
Grow bags are an ideal choice for small spaces like balconies, patios, and rooftops. With their vertical design, they maximize the surface area that you can use for planting while taking up minimal space.
Mobility
Grow bags are lightweight and portable, so you can easily move them around your garden or patio. This allows you to take advantage of the best spots for sunlight exposure without having to commit to one spot in your garden.
Tons of cucumbers starting to grow. Soon they will be ready to enjoy!
More Crops per Plant
By using grow bags, you can plant more cucumber plants in a given area than if you were to use an open garden or raised bed either. This is great news for those with limited gardening space!
Soil Quality
Grow bags are made of breathable material that allows air and water to flow freely through the container walls. This helps keep the soil inside the container well-aerated and helps ensure healthy growth.
Cost-effective
Grow bags are cost-effective and can be reused for multiple seasons. A grow bag can fold up nicely and doesn't require a ton of space to store.
Growing cucumbers in grow bags is a great way to get delicious, fresh cucumbers especially if you don't have a large garden.
Getting Started: Materials Needed
If you plan on growing your cucumbers in grow bags here is a list of materials that you will need:
Grow Bag -No small than 5 gallons
Plant Marker/Label
Watering Can/Hose
Now that you know why grow bags are the perfect choice for cucumber cultivation, let's look at how to get started with this rewarding endeavor!
Here is an up close view of what cucumber seeds look like.
Here is the 10 gallon grow bag that I planted my cucumber seeds in.
Choose your Variety of Cucumber
Choose a cucumber (Cucumis sativus) variety based on your personal preferences.
There are plenty of cucumber varieties (slicing, pickling, and seedless/burpless) to choose from and each type has its own unique flavor and texture.
If you plan to grow cucumbers in a grow bag, it would be better to choose Bush cucumbers instead of a Vining variety as they are more compact in size.
But if you have your heart set on a vining type you can still grow it in a grow bag.
I decided to try growing Picklebush cucumbers.
I choose to grow Picklebush because it can be grown as container plants and only takes 52 days to harvest.
Additionally, this specific type is recognized for its high tolerance to powdery mildew and cucumber mosaic virus which can easily plague cucumber plants.
Choosing the Right Size Grow Bag for Cucumber Plants
Growing cucumbers in containers is a great way to enjoy fresh vegetables without taking up too much space in your garden.
What size grow bag for cucumbers is appropriate?
When selecting grow bags for your cucumbers, make sure the bags are large enough to accommodate the number of cucumber plants you plan to grow.
Cucumber plants can get big and tall depending on the variety and you want to make sure your cucumbers have adequate room to grow and establish a strong root system. Therefore, you want the depth of the grow bag to be at least 12 inches.
I used a 10-gallon grow bag for my cucumbers which has a height of 12 inches and a diameter of 16 inches.
Generally speaking, a 5-gallon size bag is the minimum you should use for one plant.
But if you plan on growing more than one cucumber plant in the same grow bag, make sure to choose a larger size like a 10-gallon grow bag.
It's also important to choose to grow bags that are made from a breathable material that will allow air and water to flow freely.
Choosing a grow bag with sturdy handles is also important if you plan to move your cucumber plant around to ensure they receive sufficient light.
How many seeds can you plant in a grow bag?
I planted 3 seeds in a 10-gallon grow bag. If I were to grow plants in a 5-gallon grow bag I probably would only plant one to two seeds.
When to Sow Cucumber Seeds in Grow Bags
The best time to sow cucumber seeds in grow bags is once the soil temperature has warmed up in late spring or early summer.
You want any chances of a spring frost to have passed before you start planting. Cucumbers require warm weather.
You can start seeds indoors but cucumbers are prone to transplant shock and do better when direct sown.
How to Grow Cucumbers in Grow Bags
Now that you know what type of cuke you plan to grow and have figured out the size grow bag you need for your cucumbers it's time to get started.
Here are the steps to grow cucumbers from seed in grow bags.
Prepare your grow bag
Unfold and open up your grow bag and place it on a flat surface. Ideally setting it up where you want to keep it throughout the season is best. Make sure to keep your cucumbers in a location that gets at least six hours of sunlight.
Fill your grow bag
Fill your grow bag with a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix that contains plenty of organic matter.
I used Miracle Gro's moisture control potting mix because I have had success with it in the past and I can buy large bags of it.
You will need a lot of potting mix for a 10-gallon grow bag.
Sow the cucumber seeds
After filling the bag, use your finger to create three small holes in the soil. The holes should be approximately one inch deep and three inches apart from each other.
Then, place one cucumber seed into each of the holes. Cover lightly with soil.
Always read the seed packet and follow its sowing instructions for the best results.
Water
After planting your cucumber seeds make sure to give your seeds a good drink of water. You want to thoroughly water and make sure the water is going down to the entire bag.
One disadvantage of grow bags is that they can dry out quickly, so regular watering is required. This is why it's important to check your soil moisture frequently and make sure there is always enough water available for your plants.
Cucumbers love consistent moisture but don't like to be soggy. Keep the soil moist.
Generally, cucumbers need 1-2 inches of water a week. On extra hot days, you might need to do morning and evening watering.
Also, pay attention to the wind as this can dry out the soil quickly. On particularly windy days you may need to water more.
If you're unable to manage the frequent watering required by a cucumber plant, a drip irrigation system would be a suitable solution.
Drip irrigation works by delivering a consistent trickle of water to the roots of your plants, which helps to ensure that they will receive adequate moisture.
Watch your cucumbers grow
Watch for germination to occur in as little as 7-14 days in cooler temperatures (sometimes in just a few days if the heat is between 80-9O F).
Cucumber seedlings have emerged. They sprouted in 8 days.
Once your cucumber leaves start to appear be sure to thin out any extra seedlings to avoid overcrowding so the remaining cucumber can get enough sunlight and have room to spread out.
Generally, you should leave one or two of the strongest plants and remove the other seedlings.
Provide support
To ensure the best results, provide support for the cucumber vines such as a trellis or stake. You don't need to purchase anything crazy, in fact, you can buy them and other gardening supplies at Dollar Tree.
Although this isn't really necessary if you are growing a compact variety. Vining cucumbers like to wrap their tendrils around a trellis or stake.
When sowing, put the support in the grow bag so the cucumber plant has something to cling to.
Giving my cucumbers a trellis to climb.
Fertilize
Cucumbers are heavy feeders so every 2-3 weeks you will need to feed your cucumber plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer. I recommended starting to fertilize your cucumber plants when they have 3-5 true leaves. I started fertilizing mine once they had 3 leaves.
Just make sure to dilute the fertilizer. I believe it is 1/8 c to a gallon of water. The exact measurement is on the back of the bottle. Neptune’s fertilizer is a fish and seaweed blend with an NPK of 2-3-1. This is perfect because you want a fertilizer higher in phosphorus to help with fruit production. Fertilizers with too much nitrogen will put more effort into foliage than fruit. Here is my entire review of Neptune’s Harvest Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer.
This is the fertilizer I used which is linked above. This fertilizer is the holy grail…my cukes flourished in a few days after feeding.
Fertilizing is especially important when using grow bags because they are devoid of many essential nutrients that your plants need to thrive.
It is especially important to fertilize your cucumber plant when it begins to produce fruit.
Monitor
Keep an eye on your cucumbers regularly for pests and fungal diseases. It is best to take action right away to avoid it ruining your entire crop.
I noticed my cucumbers were starting to be attacked by aphids. I was able to hand-pick a bunch off and then wiped the leaves down with a wet paper towel to remove their sticky dew. I then put several sticky traps around to catch them. The traps are nontoxic and waterproof. I have to say my methods are really working. I haven’t seen too many aphids since.
Harvest cucumbers
As soon as the cucumbers reach maturity, you can start harvesting them.
If you are not sure when that is look on the back of the seed packet and it will tell you the days to harvest as well as the size of the cucumbers should be.
Picklebush cucumbers should take about 50 days and they should be about 4-5 inches in size when they are ready to pick.
This is a cucumber that is prime for picking!
Cucumbers are best harvested when they are young and tender for maximum flavor. Don't wait too long or else the cucumber will become tough and bitter tasting.
Plus, when you pick your cucumbers you are signaling to the plant to put more energy into growing more fruit.
To harvest your cucumbers use snips or pruners, to cut the top of the cucumber from its stem.
Cutting the cucumber from the top of the vine.
My 1st harvest of Picklebush Cucumbers!
Planting and Care Tips for Growing Cucumbers in Containers
Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy cucumber plant:
My cucumbers after their first application of fertilizer.
• Monitor the soil moisture often and make sure it isn't too dry or too wet.
• Mulch around your cucumbers to keep the roots cool and moist during hot weather.
• Cucumbers like lots of direct sunlight so, make sure to move your grow bag around if necessary to keep them in the sun.
• Prune off any dead or diseased foliage and stems on a regular basis.
• Keep an eye out for pests and diseases such as cucumber beetles, squash vine borer, and squash bugs. Powdery mildew can also be an issue on cucumbers, so watch out for this and treat it as soon as possible.
• Fertilize your cucumbers every two to three weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer for best results.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Growing Cucumbers in Grow Bags
Growing cucumbers in grow bags can be a great way to get a bumper crop of cucumbers with minimal effort. But like all gardening, there can be some issues that arise.
Common issues when growing cucumbers in grow bags include nutrient deficiency, watering issues, pests, and disease.
The good news is I got your back with detailed articles on some of the most common cucumber problems like yellow leaves, overwatered cucumber plants, or white spots on cucumber leaves.
To avoid these issues, it's important to use the right soil mix, provide adequate light and water, provide fertilizer to supplement nutrients, and inspect your plants regularly for pests and signs of disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Cucumbers in Grow Bags
What are grow bags?
Grow bags are porous fabric containers that are filled with soil and used to grow a variety of plants, including cucumbers.
They are an easy and efficient way to grow vegetables in a limited space.
Want to know more check out my ultimate guide on fabric grow bags!
Do cucumbers grow well in grow bags?
Yes, cucumbers can be grown successfully in grow bags as long as you provide them with the right soil, water, and fertilizer.
What size grow bag should I use for cucumbers?
Grow bags come in a variety of sizes. To grow cucumbers, make sure to use a grow bag that is at least 5 gallons in size and 12 inches deep to allow the roots enough space to spread out properly.
How often should I water my cucumber plants?
Cucumbers need 1-2 inches of water per week. Water more frequently in hot weather; you may need to water twice a day if it's especially hot.
Do I need to provide support for my cucumber vines?
It depends on the variety you’re growing. For vining cucumbers, it’s best to provide some kind of support such as a frame trellis or stake to help keep the vines upright and off the ground. Bush varieties don't need this type of support to grow properly.
Cucumbers in Grow Bags
Growing cucumbers in grow bags is a great way to get the most out of your limited space. Grow bags are a great alternative to traditional containers and can be used to grow a variety of vegetables, including cucumbers.
Not only do they provide a great way to maximize your space, but they also help to keep your cucumbers healthy and happy. When you plant cucumbers in grow bags, it's important to ensure that you have the right soil mix, the right amount of water, and the right amount of sunlight.
Additionally, it's important to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity levels and to provide adequate airflow to ensure your cucumbers get the best environment possible.
With the right care, you can easily grow cucumbers in grow bags and enjoy delicious, homegrown cucumbers the entire growing season.
