How to grow cucumbers in a barrel - we collect a good harvest from a small area

Tell us how to grow cucumbers in a barrel? We have a very small vegetable garden, and next year we want to almost completely plant it with potatoes. We bought a new variety, we want to get our seeds to breed. The wife has already planned to plant the tomatoes in the flowerbed, but they have not yet decided what to do with the cucumbers. A friend advised me to put high barrels. How can we fill them with earth, completely?

If you have a small plot, but there is an irresistible desire to get a bountiful harvest of cucumbers - use the space of the garden or yard. Even where there is no land, it is quite possible to plant quite a few varieties by installing old barrels. By performing the function warm beds, at the same time they will not take up as much space. In addition, caring for such plantings, as well as harvesting, is a pleasure, because you do not need to bend over. Stand still and pick cucumbers like fruits from a dwarf apple tree. All that is needed for this is to know some secrets and nuances of how to grow cucumbers in a barrel. And such a smart bed will do the rest by itself: it will protect from weeds, and from frosts, and "feed". But let's talk about everything in order.

How to prepare a barrel-shaped garden bed?

For growing cucumbers, you can use any barrels, but it is more convenient to take high ones, with a capacity of 200 liters. If they are made of iron, then it is better that they are without a bottom or full of holes. In a plastic container, make holes on the bottom. This is necessary to drain off excess water.

Place the barrel in a sunny place that is not blown out.

Filling the soil into the barrel is done in this way:

1. First, lay branches or stones on the bottom. They should take about 1/3 of the volume.
2. Top up with plant debris (grass, leaves, tops), sprinkling it with humus and not reaching the top 40 cm.
3. Place the nutrient soil last, about 20 cm thick.
4. Cover the barrel and let sit for 2 weeks.

After this time, when the substrate has settled, you can start planting, after adding soil.

To stimulate the process of decomposition and development of beneficial bacteria, spill the plant layer with a biostimulant.

Which cucumbers are suitable for barrel growing?

There are no special varieties for these purposes, you can easily sow your favorite cucumbers. These can be early maturing hybrids, for example, Muromsky or Othello. Thanks to the decaying vegetation layer at the bottom, the barrel will warm up the soil and bring ripening closer. And in warm soil, the bushes are not afraid of recurrent frosts, and on top they can be hidden under the film.

It is no less profitable to grow late-ripening varieties in this way, all for the same reasons. A warm barrel will further prolong their fruiting of Phoenix and other late varieties.

Plant no more than 5 plants in one barrel, because the space is limited. Put the seeds in the holes in several pieces, with a margin, leaving 15 cm between them.

How to grow cucumbers in a barrel: caring for an impromptu warm bed

For the first time, cover the seedlings with foil to protect them from frost. Further care for cucumbers in a barrel includes simple procedures:

1. Watering. It should be frequent, because the soil will dry out faster than in the garden.
2. Top dressing. Although the barrel contains organic matter, it will not be enough for the cucumbers. 2 weeks after germination, water the bushes with mullein infusion. Before flowering, add superphosphate and potassium sulfate when watering.Repeat mineral dressing during fruiting.

Install supports if desired to raise the whips. Or you can leave them to grow like that - the shoots hanging from the barrel look beautiful.

Video on how to plant cucumbers in a barrel