How to Grow Cucumber
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a vegetable crop that yields 20–100 tonnes (field); 200–500 tonnes (greenhouse) per hectare and takes 50–70 days from transplanting to harvest. It grows best in well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.0; warm soil; rich in organic matter, needs 500–700 mm of water, and is widely grown in Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Netherlands. The current average farm-gate price on GeraFarm is about $0.45 per kg.
Yield / hectare
20–100 tonnes (field); 200–500 tonnes (greenhouse)
Time to harvest
50–70 days from transplanting
Avg. price
$0.45/kg
Top regions
Armenia, Georgia
About Cucumber
Cucumbers are a high-turnover market garden crop across the Caucasus. Armenia's greenhouse sector is expanding; Georgian market-garden producers supply Tbilisi urban markets year-round.
Cucumber growing facts
- Scientific name
- Cucumis sativus
- Category
- Vegetable
- Yield per hectare
- 20–100 tonnes (field); 200–500 tonnes (greenhouse)
- Time to harvest
- 50–70 days from transplanting
- Growing season
- Spring–Autumn (greenhouse year-round)
- Avg. farm-gate price
- $0.45 / kg
- Soil requirements
- Well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.0; warm soil; rich in organic matter
- Water requirements
- 500–700 mm; consistent moisture; drip irrigation with fertigation recommended
How to grow cucumber, step by step
- 1
Prepare soil to the crop’s needs
Test and prepare your soil to match cucumber's requirement: Well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.0; warm soil; rich in organic matter. Correct pH and add organic matter before planting.
- 2
Plant in the right window
Plant during the recommended season: Spring–Autumn (greenhouse year-round). Use certified seed or healthy planting material to avoid carrying over disease.
- 3
Irrigate to target
Supply 500–700 mm; consistent moisture; drip irrigation with fertigation recommended. Even, well-timed moisture during the critical growth stages drives yield and quality.
- 4
Scout and protect against disease
Watch for Downy mildew and Powdery mildew. Rotate crops, keep good spacing for airflow, and act early — AI disease-scan apps can warn you days before damage is visible.
- 5
Harvest at the right time
Harvest after 50–70 days from transplanting. Handle gently and cool quickly to cut post-harvest losses, which can otherwise reach 20–40%.
- 6
Sell direct for a better price
List your cucumber free on GeraFarm, set your own price, and sell direct to verified buyers — keeping the margin a broker would otherwise take.
Diseases & pests to watch for
- Downy mildew
- Powdery mildew
- Cucumber mosaic virus
- Pythium root rot
- Whitefly
Smart-farming tips for cucumber
- Downy mildew spore models trigger fungicide alerts 3–5 days before infection period
- Greenhouse climate AI (CO2, humidity, temperature) increases yields 15–20% vs manual control
- AI yield prediction from canopy images helps plan weekly market delivery volumes
- Fertigation management AI reduces nitrogen input by 20% while maintaining yield quality
- Virus-vector aphid monitoring via sticky trap AI cameras enables early insecticide decisions
Get cucumber price alerts & growing tips
Seasonal cucumber price updates, planting reminders and disease alerts, plus when to sell for the best price — straight to your inbox. Free.
Growing cucumber — frequently asked questions
- How much cucumber can you grow per hectare?
- A well-managed cucumber crop yields 20–100 tonnes (field); 200–500 tonnes (greenhouse) per hectare. Actual yield depends on variety, soil fertility, irrigation, and disease pressure — Armenia, Georgia, Turkey, Netherlands, Kenya are among the leading growing regions. On GeraFarm, growers selling direct typically earn 40–60% more than through traditional middlemen.
- When is the cucumber growing season and how long until harvest?
- Cucumber is typically planted in: Spring–Autumn (greenhouse year-round). It takes 50–70 days from transplanting to reach harvest. Timing your planting to local conditions is the single biggest factor in yield.
- What soil and water does cucumber need?
- Cucumber prefers Well-drained sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.0; warm soil; rich in organic matter. Water requirement: 500–700 mm; consistent moisture; drip irrigation with fertigation recommended. Matching soil and irrigation to these needs is essential for a healthy cucumber crop.
- What are the main diseases and pests that affect cucumber?
- The most common threats to cucumber are Downy mildew, Powdery mildew, Cucumber mosaic virus. Crop rotation, certified seed or planting material, good spacing for airflow, and early scouting are the most reliable defences. AI disease-scan tools can flag many of these before they spread visibly.
- Is cucumber farming profitable?
- Cucumber sells for around $0.45 per kg at farm gate, and a hectare can yield 20–100 tonnes (field); 200–500 tonnes (greenhouse). Profitability hinges on yield, input costs, post-harvest losses, and the price you can negotiate — selling direct to buyers on GeraFarm removes the broker margin that usually takes 40–60% of the gap between farm-gate and retail price.
- Where can I sell cucumber after harvest?
- You can list cucumber free on GeraFarm and reach verified buyers — restaurants, wholesalers, processors and exporters — in 50+ countries. There are no listing fees, only a small commission on completed sales, and you set your own price in your local currency.