How do I prune my Cucumber?

Once you’re ready to prune Cucumber, it’s best to start by pruning out any dead or damaged vines and branches. Remove anything that shows wounds or signs of pest damage—a small problem can quickly get out of hand without intervention. After this point, direct your cuts to shape the plant how you want it. Remove any errant tendrils and side shoots off the main stem that are encroaching on your garden space. Fewer branches per plant can lead to higher quality fruit overall. Cut off shoots that are entirely at ground level, as they carry the highest risk of transmitting disease, especially in wet conditions when soil pathogens might splash onto the stems. This pruning process also provides the opportunity to train the vine along a trellis. Note: it’s okay to prune aggressively, but never remove more than ½ to 1/3 of the total plant. Doing so may cause unnecessary stress and reduce its potential for photosynthesizing, which will make it harder for the plant to produce new growth.