Lemon Cucumber

Plant lemon cucumbers in rich, well-drained garden soil where the plant receives full sun six to eight hours daily. In the hottest summer months, it appreciates a little light shade. This is a big plant, so space them 4 or 5 feet away from other plants.

The vines reach as much as 8 feet. You can save some space by planting lemon cucumbers near a fence or providing a trellis; they’ll need training to climb it, but it can keep your garden neater.

How and When to Plant Lemon Cucumbers

If you want to start the seeds indoors, plant them about three or four weeks before the last spring frost in your area. Usually, it’s better to sow the seeds directly outside; you can plant them once the soil temperature is over 60°F. Bury the seeds about 1 inch deep in groups of four to six, with 2 feet of space between each group. Keep the soil evenly moist, and the seeds should sprout in one to two weeks.

Soil

Lemon cucumbers are heavy feeders and require rich, well-drained soil similar to any other cucumber variety.1 For an extra nutritional boost, mix in finished compost or well-rotted manure. Maintain a slightly acidic soil pH of 6.5 to 7.0 (neutral).

Water

Well-draining soil will prevent rot of germinating seeds and the roots of developing plants. Keep the soil evenly moist while seeds are germinating. When seedlings appear, continue to water regularly to encourage the cucumbers to set flowers.

Give plants one inch of water per week to keep the soil evenly moist. Inconsistent watering leads to bitter tasting fruit.  During hot, dry spells, you might need to water several times per week to prevent soil from drying out.

However, be sure not to overwater because that can cause the soil to become unnecessarily soggy. Direct water at at the plant’s base to avoid splashing water on the foliage to prevent powdery mildew and other diseases. Two especially effective methods for watering lemon cucumber plants is a drip irrigation system or soaker hose.