Do you want to grow cucumbers but worry about having space in your garden? Or maybe you live in a house or apartment that doesn't have room for a garden outside? Well, you're in luck!

You can easily grow cucumbers in containers and even indoors! Read on to find out how you can start growing your cucumbers today!

Materials Needed

• Cucumber seeds*
• Container*
• Soil
• Fertilizer (if the soil does not already contain nutrients)
• Trellis*

Notes

Seeds: Cucumbers come in bush and vining varieties. When growing them in containers, bush types are ideal. These bush varieties grow vines that are only a few feet, whereas vining types can grow quite large and take up more room.

Container/Pot: The smallest container that will work for this should be at least eight inches deep with a 12-inch diameter. Ideally, if you have a five-gallon pail with a 12-inch or more diameter, that will work perfectly. Using a deeper container gives the roots more room to grow.

Trellis: Even if you use a bush type of cucumber, we still recommend a trellis to keep the plant growing vertically and contained. If you have a wire mesh, you can use that, or even a sturdy stick placed into the soil will work.

Pollination: If keeping your cucumber plant indoors, you may want to look at buying specific seeds that do not require pollination. Outside, plants will be pollinated by bees and insects. However, if indoors, your cucumber might need some help.

To do this yourself, you can break off a male flower or use a paintbrush to take the pollen from inside. Place the pollen into the larger female flowers. The male flowers are smaller and tend to appear first. Ideally, you would have two or more plants to relocate the pollen from one plant to another.

Step 1: Prep the Soil

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If your soil is already mixed or already contains nutrients, you can skip this step. Cucumbers use a lot of nutrients, specifically nitrogen, so make sure your soil and fertilizer are the right mix.

Step 2: Plant the Seeds

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Fill your container with soil until it almost reaches the top. Poke holes into the soil about half to one inch deep and spaced out to not crowd the plants. The general rule is one to two cucumber plants per square foot of soil.

If you'd like, you can start with planting four or five seeds and then choose one or two of the strongest plants once they start sprouting.

Step 3: Water the Seeds

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Cover the seeds with dirt, then water the soil. The dirt should be moist but well-drained.

Step 4: Place the Trellis

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If using a stick, you can place it into the soil once the plants start appearing. For a tomato cage or mesh, you can put it on the container after you plant the seeds.

Step 5: Place in a Warm and Sunny Spot

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Make sure to place the container in a warm spot. In three to ten days, once the plants have come up, make sure to place the container where it can get at least eight hours of sunlight per day. If indoors, grow lights can help achieve this.

Please note that cucumbers do not like the cold, and frost will kill your plants!

Step 6: Enjoy your plant!

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Watch your cucumbers grow, and most varieties will have full fruit in around six to eight weeks, depending on the conditions.

Conclusion

This is a great project if you are short on space or want an easier way to contain cucumber plants. By using a container you also have better control over pests, soil quality, and moisture.

This project is a perfect way to grow cucumbers indoors too!