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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02 Jan 16, tastyvish (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can hand pollinate which will increase the chances of having more production.Alternatively if you garden is bees friendly then they could pollinate too.
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06 Dec 15, garry mcleod (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, Approximately one month ago I planted some cystal apple cucumbers which are thriving, however, I have noticed that something is eating the leaves and there seems to be some small dot larvi in the leaves. Can I spray them with white oil? Do I need something stronger to kill them but not harm the plant? Regards Garry
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11 Dec 15, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
you can use tomato dust to get rid of any grubs that may be eating the leaves, it will not hurt the plant, just remember to wash it before you eat it. i grow them here in the deep south of nsw, they grow fast and i use liquid fertiliser onces a week when they have there fruit on them.
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16 Jan 16, olly (Australia - temperate climate)
no don't use tomato dust it says specifically on the package not to use on cucumbers it is also harmful to bees which do the pollinating. if its caterpillars try just picking them off if it's white fly it can be hard I just try keeping their numbers down by picking the worst leaves off and giving the rest a good high pressure squirt with the hose
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06 Dec 15, frank glennon (Australia - tropical climate)
I have 2 cucumber plants which are about 2 feet high with plenty of flowers I have picked 2 about 4ii long but now all my leaves have gone prickly and brown/yellow what should I do
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17 Dec 15, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
Keep the watering at the base, not on the plant or mildew will set in. I mulch around the three seeds I've planted in a shallow depression to hold the water (arid here remember), thin to two and as the vines spread move them clockwise around itself to keep compact and to aid flower fertilisation and fruit development till it looks like a green pyramid or cone. Every year I get great Apple and Lebanese cucumbers using this method. Forgot where your seeds are germinating from? Jam a stake in the ground at the source so you can throw the hose into it.
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30 Oct 15, Amit Bissa (Australia - arid climate)
I had two of them together. Before I planted cucumbers, tomatoes were growing good had 15 fruits on them. As soon as cucumbers were introduced. Tomatoes stopped growing and the fruits wilted quickly.
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03 Jan 16, Loren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just read that you should avoid planting cucumbers with tomatoes.
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11 Dec 15, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
remove lower dieing leaves, will not hurt the plant
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29 Oct 15, Cheryl (Australia - temperate climate)
I .have cucumbers and tomatoes in same garden, I just read they.shouldn't be. What will happen
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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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