The principle of growing cucumbers in the Urals
Growing cucumbers in the Urals is possible, but you should know that this process is very difficult. Since the cucumber loves warmth and moisture, you should carefully prepare for planting. Basically, in the Urals, vegetables are grown only in greenhouses, because the climate in this area is very harsh. But some of the experienced gardeners grow cucumbers in the open field and know all the intricacies of this procedure.
The principle of growing cucumbers in the Urals
Growing cucumbers in the open field
It is not easy to grow cucumbers in the Urals, so it is worth preparing first. For planting, it is advisable to cook several types of cucumbers at once, which ripen early in time and tolerate the cold normally. In this case, hybrid varieties can be used. As you know, in the Urals, the weather changes very sharply and it is impossible to know what it will be, and whether the season will be fruitful. That is why the gardener must prepare the seeds in advance for unexpected surprises. Cucumbers love warmth and grow well in greenhouses or under plastic.
If you do not follow the rules of care, then you will not be able to get a high-quality and large harvest. Also, you do not need to plant cucumbers very close to those plants that can take up all the nutrients. If the temperature is more than 16 ° C at night, then this is the first sign that it is time to plant seedlings. The weather should also be good during the day.
Planting seeds for seedlings
To grow seedlings, you need to sow seeds. It is recommended to take more seeds, because not everyone can take root. You also need to pick up 4 different varieties of cucumbers. Seeds that are not fresh take root better than fresh seeds. Store them indoors at room temperature.
Seed selection
The seeds of cucumbers should be of those species that normally tolerate sudden changes in the weather, ripen early even in cold weather. In addition, the gardener selects seeds depending on their purpose. If the cucumbers will be salted or sent for sale, it is necessary to take mid-season species. Mid-season cucumbers can produce a good harvest. The most famous types of such cucumbers are: Grade Graceful, Altai, Murom, April F1.
For pickling, the following cucumbers are planted: Vyaznikovsky 37, Nezhinsky species, Siberian variety, Erofey variety, Masha and Muromsky.
A variety such as April F1 tolerates well any weather changes and has a strong immunity to many diseases. Perfect for closing in jars and ideal for planting in open ground. For example, the Erofei variety quickly gets used to cold terrain. It is perfect for fresh consumption. It is unpretentious in care, despite the weather it gives a big harvest. The fruits themselves are not large, tasty and crunchy.
The Masha variety also grows well in the Urals. It can keep up in a short time and is unpretentious in care. The Masha variety is often used for canning. The Muromsky variety is capable of producing a large harvest even in the coldest region.Murom cucumbers ripen quickly, have a small size and crispy peel, excellent for sale. When the cucumbers for seedlings are selected, you can start sowing seeds.
Seed preparation
An important process in the cultivation of cucumbers is the preparation of seeds. First, they need to be heated, so the seeds are placed in a warm place. Thus, they will tolerate cold weather well. To check the seeds for germination, a saline solution is prepared, after which a procedure is carried out - hardening. To do this, put the seeds in the refrigerator, and then transfer them to the battery for about 1 month.
Seeds need to be prepared
Before planting seeds for seedlings, they are soaked in warm water. Thus, they swell and begin to ripen faster. Also, before planting, the seeds can be placed in potassium permanganate, but the solution is not very strong. After that, be sure to rinse in water and then dry.
Disembarkation rules
After all the procedures have been done, you can start planting. Seeds must be planted very carefully so as not to damage the roots. Sow seeds like this:
- pour the earth into prepared containers;
- make holes, small and shallow;
- the gardener must make the distances between the rows: in this way the plant will receive all the useful substances, since little space will only harm.
After a short time, the seeds will begin to sprout their first stems.
Seedling care
Seeds for growing seedlings must be planted in store land. It is necessary to fertilize and water it. Also, each gardener must comply with certain conditions while growing seedlings.
- Be sure to observe the temperature. During the day to adhere, on average, 20 ° С, and at night 16 ° С.
- It is important that there is plenty of light during the growth of the seedlings. To do this, light is made artificially or foil is hung so that the sun's rays do not fall directly on the plant.
- The first feeding should be given 2 weeks after planting the seeds. The second time is top dressing when the first stems are visible.
- If the plant is cramped, it is planted in separate pots.
- From time to time, the room where the seedlings grow is ventilated or the plant is taken outside.
- If the ground begins to dry out, it is immediately watered. The main thing is not to overdo it with the amount of watering, as fungi and mold may appear. The irrigation process should be carried out with warm water and only at the root. Leaves and stems are simply sprayed.
Knowledgeable gardeners begin to plant seedlings in open ground when it is already fully grown. But before planting, in a few days they stop watering it, turn back the soil and do not bother the seedling at all. During transplanting, the plant feels a lot of stress.
Planting seedlings in the soil
Planting cucumbers in open ground in the Urals is a rather complicated process, so it is easier to plant them in a greenhouse. If the gardener has chosen this planting method, you first need to prepare the soil. If the cucumbers are planted in warm pits, they have every chance to withstand the cold, sudden changes in weather and give high-quality fruits. Seedlings must be hardened and strong.
Soil preparation
To heat the earth, apply manure or cover the beds with covering material. 2 weeks before planting, the land is completely covered with manure. When the sun starts to warm, the manure will heat up and release carbon dioxide. Each hole must be filled with hay, grass and branches. Then sprinkle with earth on top. Next, the pits are watered with hot water with the addition of potassium permanganate - this procedure will give warmth. Sprinkle earth on top again.
Choose your landing site carefully
The plot should be sunny and warm. Cucumbers do not like wind and drafts. It is also important to know after which plants you can plant cucumbers. It is undesirable to plant them in the place where the pumpkin and zucchini grew. It is best to plant in place of beets, onions, herbs or carrots. They also normally take root if the site is selected where potatoes and tomatoes grew.The soil should be light, with a suitable amount of acidity and of course fertile, so the gardener should loosen it often. The plot is covered with a film for three days so that the earth warms up well.
When the ground warms up normally, furrows are made, they are plentifully watered with cold water. In addition, humus, sand or peat are placed in the soil, and lime will reduce the number of acidity. And only after that the planting process begins.
Disembarkation rules
- The distance between the bushes should be, on average, 30-40 cm.
- Seedling roots are well strengthened by soil.
- Bushes are tied up as needed.
- When all the seedlings are planted, they are watered, covered with foil and left alone for a while.
The approximate time is 10 days for the seedlings to take root. Many gardeners from the Urals claim that if the cucumbers are covered with two films, they will not freeze at all, and the harvest will be very rich.
Plant care
You need to grow cucumbers correctly and, of course, take care of them. If the gardener decides to grow cucumbers in a cold climate, then you need to look after carefully. When the seedlings are planted according to all the rules, nothing threatens the crop. He will receive all the beneficial elements and will be healthy. It is important to follow the planting order and not plant cucumbers next to other similar plants, such as tomatoes.
Watering
Watering is carried out once a week. The main thing is that the earth is not dry, as the fruits can turn out to be bitter. Water the plant from a watering can with warm water.
Fertilizer
You can apply soil mulching. This procedure will help to retain moisture for longer. Any fertilizer can be used. It can be aimed at speeding up flowering so that the fruit sets faster and ripens quickly. If the plant is not fertilized, the yield will be small. Cucumbers positively tolerate fertilizers in the form of ammonium nitrate, potassium, manure, magnesium and ash.
Pest control
If the weather is warm outside, the film can be removed for a while. It is useful to ventilate the bushes. Also, the plant needs to be sprayed from possible pests, since in the open field the chances of their appearance increase. Flies, slugs, bears love cucumbers and constantly attack them. In addition, it is important to spray the stems and leaves against possible diseases. You can also prepare chemical solutions yourself; it is customary to water the roots with them.
If the plant needs pinching, then it is periodically carried out, and also tied up if the bush is tall enough. You need to pay attention to the acidity of the earth and moisture.
Conclusion
It is quite difficult to grow cucumbers in the Urals in the open field, but this procedure has become very popular recently. Many gardeners are engaged in cultivation every year and know some of the secrets of this process. The main thing to do is to choose a suitable variety that reacts normally to cold weather. Also, carry out all the procedures for the correct cultivation of seedlings and observe the conditions for care. If everything is done correctly, the harvest will be rich, and the fruits will be tasty and crispy.