Lately, I’ve had broken-hearted would-be gardeners share stories of their excitement of seeing tiny fruits on their cucumber plants only to have the little cukes shrivel up and die a mere few days later. These gardeners tell me they have a black-thumb, they weren’t born to garden, or the plants simply don’t like them. Their gardening fires are once again rekindled when I explain hand-pollination.

Hand-pollinating cucumbers, pumpkins and squash is a simple technique that comes in handy when Mother Nature doesn’t keep up her end of the bargain by providing bees, butterflies and the rest of the critters that are a necessary ingredient to have fruit on our veggie plants and trees.

Sometimes, Mother Nature isn’t to blame and it’s actually the gardener who kills off all of the garden-sex friends with his or her exuberant attempts to crush the bad guys with powerful chemicals. Either way, someone has to have sex in the garden and sometimes we may be forced to go it alone.

Folks, this is why I bible-thump about attracting the wild things to your yard; we need as much sex in our gardens as we can possibly get. Ideally, it’s kinda cool to let insects have their way with our plants instead of having to do it ourselves (yeah, I went there). Because the fact is that if you don’t have enough pollinating creatures around to spread the love, it’s entirely possible to drum up the romance yourself.

Hand-Pollination

The first thing you need to know is the difference between a male and female flower. Squash (or pumpkins, cucumbers, etc) vines have both male and female flowers. You can spot the female flower by the small fruit (or “potential fruit”) that sits just behind the blossom. The male flower lacks any such fruit.

Take a male flower and gently pull off the petals. Rub the remaining middle part all over the female flower’s middle part. We now have instant fertilization. Another way is to use an artist’s paint brush and gently rub the bristles all around the male flower’s anthers (those are easy to spot because they are covered with the pollen). Then swirl the brush all over the female flower’s stigma.

If you like playing the scientist role and feeling all official, the paint brush technique is the way to go. Either way, whether you rub the two flower parts together or simply use your hand; the story ends the same way. Someone always ends up with fruit.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix, 16 Quart

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

ORGANIC COCONUT COIR: Made from recycled coconut husks, coir is a light, sustainable growing medium that holds the perfect amount of moisture for starting seeds. 100% biodegradable soil alternative. Environmentally friendly and a renewable alternative to peat moss. OMRI listed and certified organic. IDEAL GROWING MIX: Improve seed germination and root growth with this premium coconut fiber mix, which improves nutrients absorption! Great for flower, vegetable, herb, and more plant types. OMRI listed. Naturally disease and pathogen resistant, it will help you grow healthy live plants. EASY TO STORE & EXPAND: Each compact coconut coir brick expands into 8 quarts of seed starting mix, providing 16 quarts total. Just add water to expand! Dehydrated bricks save space until planting. Once expanded, coconut coir provides a quality growing medium for all types of plants—indoor plants, house plants, outdoor plants, and more! NATURALLY CONSERVES WATER: Renewable coco coir has excellent moisture retention and better air circulation than peat. This eco-friendly, premium seeds starting mix combines well with other potting soil and compost for container plants & raised beds. 100% GUARANTEED: Burpee is committed to the success of all gardeners. We treat each order with care to ensure healthy seeds, plants, soil mixes, and gardening supplies are sent in excellent condition. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, we aim to make it right!

Buy at Amazon