Cucumbers are great garden vegetables that grow well in hot, humid climates. In addition to the right planting site, ashley cucumbers require fertile soil and lots of water.

Before planting, add compost to your soil, as it has the nutrients that ashley cucumbers need to grow fast and produce abundant fruit. Mix the compost to a depth of about eight inches.

Planting

Ashley cucumbers are a popular choice in southern climates because of their resistance to fungal diseases that can affect other types of cucumbers. Plant these fast-growing vegetables as you would other varieties, providing full sun, fertile soil and plenty of water throughout the growing season.

Sow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost date in peat pots or pellets, and then transplant into a garden when they have reached about four inches tall. When transplanting, provide a stake for each newly established plant.

Cucumbers can be planted directly outside, but they tend to grow faster and be more resistant to pests when started indoors. When planting indoors, prepare the soil in early spring by incorporating rich compost or general garden fertilizer.

When the vines are about 5″ high, thin them to 12 inches apart and lay a 3-inch layer of mulch over the bases of each vine. Mulch helps suppress weeds and retain moisture and nutrients in the soil.

Soil Preparation

When growing ashley cucumbers, the soil needs to be well-draining and rich in organic matter. Add a light layer of compost to areas that lack this. Cucumbers need a good source of nitrogen as well, so mix in a low-nitrogen fertilizer when you plant and at least once every three weeks during the season.

For best results, choose a sunny location and plant vines 36 to 60 inches apart in a row or in rows that are 12 inches wide. If you’re planting vertically, you may want to set up a trellis.

Mulching around the base of your ashley cucumber plants helps conserve soil moisture, keeps vines and fruits clean, and prevents weeds from germinating and growing. Use straw or chopped leaves as a mulch. This will also help deter slugs and snails. Floating fabric row covers are also recommended during the seedling stage to help improve growth and deter pests.

Fertilization

Cucumber plants use a lot of nutrients during the growing season, and it’s important to give them extra help at certain stages. This can be done through fertilization, which provides additional energy to the plant for growth and blooms.

When growing Ashley cucumbers, it’s especially important to fertilize during the seedling stage to promote strong and healthy plants. Fertilize with a low nitrogen, high phosphorus formula such as an organic granular or liquid.

Once seeds are germinated, apply a time-release fertilizer or organic feed every 14 days during the season. It’s also a good idea to add compost to planting beds before the cucumbers are planted to ensure that soil has all of the nutrients it needs for strong plants.

Cucumbers are easy to grow and are a great addition to any garden. They’re also disease-resistant and heat-tolerant, making them ideal for growing in hot climates. They’re also good for slicing and eating fresh, and pickling is possible with some varieties.

Watering

Cucumbers are heavy-feeding plants that need consistent watering to thrive. To help keep the soil moist, mulch around the base of the plant with a thick layer of straw or other organic material.

Ensure the plant receives an inch of water each week during the growing season. Mulching will also prevent weeds from developing in the cucumber plant’s soil.

To protect your cucumbers from disease, use a fertilizer that is well-balanced in nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Try to apply it in the early summer and fall.

When you’re ready to plant, prepare the planting area by tilling the soil and adding a layer of aged compost or organic gardening mix. Space cucumbers 36 to 60 inches apart (for trellised plants, 12 inches apart) in an area with plenty of sun and rich, moist soil that has a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

For best results, grow your cucumbers on a trellis that is 5-6 feet tall and strong enough to support the weight of the fruits. This makes harvesting much easier and will reduce damage from slugs and other pests.