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 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
21 Feb 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
We grow a variety called Biet Alpha and picked copious amounts of cucumbers off it. It is a more traditional green cucumber with bristle patches on the skin. The cucumbers were about 15-18 cm long but the size is certainly compensated by the yield.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to internet seed selling companies - Boondie Seed, Collection, New Life and look through the varieties there. You need a burping variety I have read.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Feb 18, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
My apple cucumbers have flowers but no cucumbers there are lots of lady Beatles on them do not like to use a chemical spray could that be the reason?
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Feb 18, Darren (Australia - arid climate)
By lady beetles, I assume you mean ladybugs. They are a beneficial insect so I wouldn't recommend spraying them. I am having the same problem; apparently it has something to do with the extreme heat.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check to see you have female and male flowers. There can be up to 7 times more male than female flowers. Usually on the vines come male flowers first and then produces female flowers. The female may only be open for 1 day. Do some hand pollinating. Look up the internet for a youtube video.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Jan 18, JOHN schofield (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Help I got such nice fruit but they get stung and I cut off the worst part deep cut and eat rest taste great so my question what do I do as I don’t spray and they grow against a wall ,
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I take it you mean they are stung by some insect. Try and find an organic spray on the internet. Try and work out what the insect is.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Dec 17, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you freeze Apple Cucumbers. As I have tons of them all growing at the same time
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jan 18, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
No you cant freeze them, they go all horridable, mushy.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They would probably end up all mushy. Try pickling them - look up internet for a pickling recipe . You only need a plant or two to feed a family - or stagger the planting times. Feed the neighbours or friends. I have just given away over half my sweet corn crop (30 plants) as I didn't think they would hold on too well (go starchy) in the current hot weather.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 161 - 170 of 495 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Cucumber

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.