Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Cucumber in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed

October: After risk of frost

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Cut fruit off with scissors or sharp knife.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Nasturtiums, Beans, Celery, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Cabbages, Sunflowers, Coriander, Fennel, Dill, Sunflowers
  • Avoid growing close to: Potato, Tomatoes

Your comments and tips

27 Mar 20, Eric Peterson (USA - Zone 10a climate)
Hi there! I was wondering why cucumbers shouldn't be grown near tomatoes? Thank you!
29 Mar 20, Brenda (Australia - arid climate)
You actually can. They are companion plants and grow well together but both dislike growing near potatoes. Basil also likes tomatoes and cucumbers. Funny isnt it :)
17 Feb 20, Rebecca (Australia - temperate climate)
New to veggie gardening. Is it too late to plant cucumber seeds? I can see from the calender this the last month. Also with a raised veggie garden will mushroom compost be the best?
18 Feb 20, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
This website is a guide, it is not spot on about everything. It tells you to apply local information. Gardening is a lot about trying different things but the times to plant are what they consider the best time to achieve the best results. If it says to plant Nov to Feb then you could probably plant Oct to Mar. I find mushroom compost to be very expensive for what is in it. Any kind of compost will do, manures, grass/leaf compost, seaweed, worm poo/tea, any organic matter that has broken down. An easy way is to put grass clipping/ straw etc as a mulch (only about 50mm thick) around your plants, as the plants grow the mulch will be wet and start to break down, by the time the crop is picked it is half way to compost, then dig it into the soil.
12 Jan 20, Ann O'Hara (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I usually grow very good cucumbers and usually Lebanese variety. This year my plant is covered in cucmbers but instead of starting off green I have an abundance of tiny yellow cucumbers on my vine. What causes this?
13 Jan 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Phone an agricultural depart, nursery, or some agri supply company and ask if they have an agronomist. Could be some trace element deficiency.
06 Jan 20, Kathy Hutchinson (Australia - temperate climate)
it s Jan 6th is it too late to plant apple cucumbers plz
09 Jan 20, anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Plz read the calendar notes at the top of the page.
18 Dec 19, Natalie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
First time planting and i put tomato next to it. What can i expect?
19 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have just read on several websites that tomatoes and cucumbers are compatible. Don't grow near potatoes. I recently had tomatoes in one bed and cues in the next bed, beds 1.2m apart, beds 4.8m L x 2.5m W. Cues need space to spread out so don't plant close to other crops. Also consider if the tall plants will shade out the lower growing crop.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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