Cucumbers are by far the most popular type of vegetable grown in home gardens. A tropical vegetable, cucumbers thrive when the weather is hot and the water is plentiful. In addition, they are the perfect summer vegetable, adding a crisp fresh taste to salads and summer drinks. It's easy to grow your own cucumbers from seed, and growing them yourself always seems to make them taste better. So, learn expert tips for growing cucumbers in your vegetable garden.

Common name: Cucumber, gherkin
Botanical name: Cucumis sativus
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Plant type: Annual
Bloom time: Seasonal
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Rich, well-draining
Bloom time: Seasonal
Hardiness zones: 4 to 11 (USDA)
Native areas: Asia