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

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29 Mar 17, Grace Douglas (Australia - temperate climate)
Had such wonderful success with cucumbers in the summer of Jan - March. Will cucumbers grow in any other months in Endeavour Hills, Melbourne, Victoria? Question 2. I do not use any chemicals so have you a good idea of how to keep those moths away from Kale? If I put bird mesh over, the moths poke their noses tongues through.
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30 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
To control cabbage moths and butterflies you could use Yates 'Natures Way' this is a safe organic spray and is harmless to everything except caterpillars. I have also heard of mixing bicarb soda and flour 50/50 and using as a dust. I haven't tried it but others say it works. It wouldn't cost you much to give it a try.
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30 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
Cucumbers like frost free conditions so can be planted after the last frost. Try planting them in September in egg carton cells or toilet paper cylinders and keep them inside on a sunny windowsill. They can then be planted out in late October when the soil has warmed up. Most summer crops can be planted in late October in southern Victoria. You often hear people say 'after the grand final' or around Melbourne Cup as this is about when the soil normally reaches 17 degrees.
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16 Mar 17, Margaret McDonald (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Why are the skins (of Lebanese cucumbers) so tough?
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05 Mar 17, Heather Andrews (Australia - temperate climate)
What time of the year do plant cucumbers in Adelaide we have many days over 33 degrees
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06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Cucumbers can be planted in Adelaide in the spring and summer. they like a good trellis to climb on and the tips can be pinched to encourage bushier growth. To reduce the chance of sunborn on those scorching days plant them along an east facing fence if you can. This will shelter them during the hottest part of the day. The other alternative is to plant a block of sweet corn and when the corn has taken off plant the cucumbers at their bases. This will give you free shade, free stakes and double crop! The stalks could also be used to support peas in the autumn and winter. Trust this helps.
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25 Feb 17, Nicola (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Hi, we have been gifted 3 cucumber plants. The day our friend brought them to us her chooks sat on them. They were then in her boot the entire day on a 40 degree day. I had them in a morning to mid afternoon sunny spot and they were starting to liven up. The tops started dying off, then they fell over on themselves and cracked the stems. So we moved them to there permanent spot in the evening and in the morning we woke up and the dogs had toppled the 2 over. I picked them up and put the soil back in but now the stems are saggy, broken and the tops are all dried and brown. Please can you help me with advice on how to save these poor plants? I feel so terrible as this is the second set of plants our friend has given us and they are dying again :'(
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26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like you've had a traumatic time! Under the circumstances you would be better to sow some fresh seed. It will germinate in a few days. Once plants are battered past a certain point they take a while to recover, if at all. You will need 3-4 months to harvest. All the best.
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22 Feb 17, ebony (Australia - temperate climate)
thank you for your help
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05 Feb 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
How to tell when apple cucumbers are ready to pick
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Showing 191 - 200 of 497 comments
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The rules of companion planting indicate that cucumbers and tomatoes/potatoes should not be planted in close proximity to one another. Let's consider what companion planting is all about first. 1. Companion planting is about creating a diversity in the garden that reduces the chances of PESTs/disease wiping out your garden. So in CP you don't plant things that are prone to the same diseases or attract the same pests close together. In the case of cukes and tomatoes it is: fusarium wilt and powdery mildew. (there could be more things...but this is enough that you have violated one of CP rules). 2. CP is about nutrition in the soil -- that is, you would not plant two things in close proximity that both require heavy amount of any particular mineral/vitamin. So for example if both plants are heavy feeders of potassium -- clearly they would compete too heavily for this resource most likely all plants would not get enough potassium. Cucumbers are heavy feeders and require lots of nitrogen and potassium. Pale, yellowish leaves indicate nitrogen deficiency. Leaf bronzing is a sign of potassium deficiency. Potatoes LOVE potassium, and low levels of potassium cause hollow heart (the middle of the potatoes looks like it is rotting), further the potato plant needs ALL it's potassium at the early stages (BEFORE setting tubers). Potatoes are also HEAVY feeders. Tomatoes are HEAVY feeders. So CP says not to plant heavy feeders next to each other... they compete to much for nutrition. Ok, so now you know why CP says not to plant these plants next to each other. The question then becomes.... but CAN I still do it knowing about the wilt and mildew and potassium and general heavy feeding of all the plants.... SURE, BUT be sure to add lots of nutrition to the soil (compost/manure) add lots of potassium (before planting mainly) and be sure to top up the nutrition during the growing phases... so maybe add manure/compost before planting, mid season and again when fruit starts setting. Also all these plants LOVE water... and lots of it, and this to me, makes it convenient when watering, to have my water lovers all in one spot... that way I can just dump a 5 gallon bucket of water int he middle of them. Also, careful how you trellis the cucumber, you don't want to create a roof over the tomatoes/potatoes that will hold moisture and encourage the mildews.

- Celeste Archer

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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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