What will you say when you learn that you can harvest your first crisp cucumber crop two weeks earlier than usual, without wasting energy on weeding and pest control?
It turns out that you don’t need greenhouses or expensive fertilizers for this – you just need to reconsider your approach to planting.
Instead of traditional beds, gardeners are increasingly using cut plastic bottles with a capacity of 5-10 liters.
The top of the container is removed, forming a cylinder, and 15–20 holes are pierced in the bottom for drainage.
Loose nutritious soil is poured inside and two seedling bushes are planted.
This “container” not only protects the roots from hypothermia, but also allows you to place plants even on a balcony or a small area.
Two weeks after planting, when the soil in the bottle has settled a little, add a new portion of soil mixed with crushed eggshells. Calcium from the shell strengthens the plants, and the loose structure of the soil improves oxygen access.
A frame of wooden slats or metal rods is installed next to the bottles, with a string stretched between them in the form of a mesh with 15x15 cm cells.
After 20 days, the vines are carefully tied to a support - this stimulates vertical growth and saves space.
With regular watering and standard fertilizing, cucumbers quickly master the vertical support.
After just 40 days, the vines reach the top point of the frame, and the first fruits appear on the lower tiers even earlier.
To make care easier and improve lighting, the lower leaves are cut to the middle of the stem.
This method not only speeds up ripening, but also protects the crop from rot - the cucumbers hang in the air without touching the ground.
This method will be appreciated by those who want to get early cucumbers without unnecessary hassle.
Vertical beds save space, make harvesting easier and turn an ordinary garden into a spectacular green “waterfall”.
