Are you are wondering how you can grow cucumbers when you have limited garden space? Well the good news is cucumbers can be grown in containers. Cucumbers can be successfully grown in containers or bags and still produce the same amount of fruit as those planted in the garden.

Start by choosing seed varieties that are best suitable for growing in containers. Cucumbers grow as vines or bushes, and it is the bush variety that grows well in containers. They will not overgrow the pots and the seed packet usually has information as to whether the variety is suitable for container gardening or not.

Growing cucumbers in containers come with certain advantages. Benefits include that of portability allowing you to move the pots as needed so that they can get at least the 8 hours of sunlight that is needed for good growth. It is also easier to control the weeds in containers than in a garden patch.

Choose your containers well, pay special attention to the size of the pot. Go for a larger container that will allow more water and also allow the roots to penetrate deeper to take advantage of the moisture and nutrients.

While the same information for care and management on growing cucumbers in the garden is the same as for growing them in containers, watering is a critical element in having a successful container garden. Since cucumbers grown in a container use up water quickly especially in hot conditions, it is crucial to make sure that the pots do not run dry as this can stress the plants.

Container grown cucumbers require well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Fill the containers with the soil mix, making sure to line the bottom with pebbles to allow for good drainage. Make a hole in the centre and drop in 3- 5 seeds and cover well. Water lightly and keep aside in a warm place and wait for germination.

After germination, thin out by cutting off the seedlings leaving only the two strongest, to avoid overcrowding. Do not try to pull them out but use a pair of scissors or clippers, to avoid disturbing the roots of the remaining ones.

Place the containers in a place that receives full sun and well protected from the wind. Check on your plants regularly for watering needs. As they approach the fruiting time, water the cucumbers more than once per day. If they do not receive enough water this time, the fruit will be bitter and the skins will be hard.

Since cucumbers love full sun, the soil in the containers tends to dry out fairly quickly. Apply mulch to help the soil lock in moisture and nutrients. For supplemented feeding, use an organic fertilizer once a week after the plants produce blossoms to make them strong enough as they approach production period.

When ground space is available, cucumbers can be grown in raised beds or hills. Hills are best for vine cucumbers and they need to be about 3 feet apart. Plant about 3 to 5 seeds in a hill and thin them out after germination but before they are fully established. Vine cucumbers are better grown on vertical structures. When trellised, they have healthier vines and fruit is easier to harvest. Check the cucumbers daily for signs of disease infestation and pests.

For more information on care, weeding and pest control, please visit my website at http://www.jojosi.hubpages.com/hub/growing-cucumbers

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