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

01 Jan 18, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
No you cant freeze them, they go all horridable, mushy.
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.
14 Dec 17, Brenda (Australia - temperate climate)
Same of the Lebanese cucumbers different colours bit lighter are they still okay to eat .
08 Dec 17, john shsnahan (Australia - temperate climate)
Check for Red spider they love cucumber
12 Nov 17, Sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have small 1 1/2cm cucumbers all over my plant. But they are not growing any bigger. They have been this size for weeks. Any help would be appreciated!
13 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably need bees or hand pollinate them. Check if there is male and female flowers.
25 Oct 17, Grace (Australia - temperate climate)
If it's white,cabbage moth that are eating your plants you can plant land cress & dill near them & the moths will be more attracted to it & hopefully leave your Kale alone, we tried it & it worked when they were attacking our brocolini :)
09 Oct 17, Udo Krause (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
In which province they are growing English cucumbers
03 Oct 17, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
ive had much success with cucumber in Melbourne over a number of years. this year ive decided to plant more pumpkins, zucchini, sweetcorn and watermelon. therefor I don't have as much room in my veggie patches. Just wondering if anyone has had success with cucumbers in potted baskets as I have some wondering what to put in them. a good quality potting mix and keep well watered... would a cucumber live like this?
04 Oct 17, Sam D (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, place in a pot 'at-least' 40cm, 50cm or bigger would be better, use good quality potting mix and make a wooden frame with wire mesh for the plant to climb.
Showing 171 - 180 of 497 comments

If you have TRUE high humidity: humidex above 95% consistently -- then you have a real issue. If you have a "created" high humidity situation: like a poorly ventilated greenhouse; then correcting the ventilation will fix things. You can create an updraft by placing a screened window/door very close to ground level (or the lowest level that opens to fresh air) and then furthest and highest away from this point another screened window (on the ceiling/roof, or very high on the wall). So if you have a door on the North/East Bottom. the window goes on the South/West Top. When both of the windows are open, you should get a nice updraft that will whisk away all your humidity. It is best to situate the ground level door/window in a shady spot -- because this will be cooler air, and as this comes in it will force the hot/humid air up and out. There are also green house fans that can be installed (but if you do your updraft correctly you will probably not need one) ; and if you are fully indoors even a dehumidifier might work. If you are in a garden setting like the situation above; I think perhaps the cucumber created a roof that was helping hold in the moisture. In this case prune the cucumber to increase airflow. Things like fences can hold moisture; for example if you have a garden between two houses and there is a wood picket fence; this could impede the flow of air, and cause humidity to build up. The answer will ALMOST always be to increase air flow. If this is a true climate issue then you should select what you are growing with care, choosing plants that can tolerate high humidity; and still trying to situate your plants/garden in such a way that air flows freely. I have an allotment, that has "dense" fencing on two sides (I am in the back corner) and I can feel that I have an extra humid situation. I have found that runner beans do well; once they climb higher than fence level, they get a lot of air flow and do nicely. As far a hydroponics; I am not well versed enough to even begin guessing at the issues that may exist in these environments. Just remember that even when the humidex is NOT high, plants still need the airflow to move what they have transpired away from their leaves.

- Celeste Archer

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