A ton of cucumbers removes 1.8 to 3 pounds N, 0.6 to 2.0 pounds P2O5, and 3 to 5 pounds K2O from the soil. Consult the table below for plant nutrient recommendations and Chapter 1 for organic sources of these nutrients. For fresh market cucumbers, an additonal 30 pounds N per acre is usually added when the plants have 2 to 4 leaves and vines are just starting to fall over into the rows, but no more than 40 pounds of N or K2O should be applied at any one time. Picking cucumbers are said not to respond to any additional N applications, probably because of the short harvest period. Potassium and phosphorus are important for good fruit shape, and nitrogen for good fruit color.
Low potassium prevents the stem end of the fruit from developing properly.
Low phosphorus will give the fruit a dull bronze-green coloration. Low nitrogen will result in light green leaves and fruit. There is some evidence that excessive nitrogen before flowering can delay the onset of flowering, but low N during fruiting can also reduce the number of fruit that develop on the vine. Planting Good drainage is important for all cucurbits. The height of the bed should be determined by how well the soil drains.