Cucumbers should be planted in a location that receives full sun, ideally at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, as they thrive in warm, sunny conditions

. The soil should be fertile, well-drained, and have a pH between 6.0 and 6.8, although cucumbers can tolerate slightly more alkaline soil up to 7.6

. To improve soil fertility and drainage, enrich the soil with several inches of aged compost, well-rotted manure, or other organic matter before planting

. You can plant cucumbers outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot with good sun exposure or indoors in a greenhouse or polytunnel for earlier starts and better protection from pests

. When planting outdoors, wait until the soil and air temperatures are consistently warm, typically when daytime temperatures reach the mid-70s °F (around 21-24°C)

. Spacing depends on whether you train the cucumbers to climb or let them sprawl on the ground:

• For vining cucumbers trained on a trellis, plant them about 12 inches (30 cm) apart

• For sprawling varieties, space plants 36 to 60 inches (90 to 150 cm) apart to allow room for growth

• When planting in hills or mounds, make a small mound about a foot in diameter and 3 inches high to improve drainage around the stem

If growing in containers, choose pots at least 30 cm (1 ft) wide and deep, filled with peat-free multi-purpose compost, and provide support such as a trellis or obelisk for the vines to climb

. In summary, plant cucumbers in a sunny, warm, well-drained spot with fertile soil, spacing them according to whether they will climb or sprawl, and consider using supports to keep fruits clean and make harvesting easier