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
17 Apr 14, Colleen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have three lebanese cucumber plants growing quite a few flowers but no cucumbers, also I noticed in the advice column that you suggest you don't grow tomatoes with cucumbers why is that, any suggestions about getting the cucumbers to set, cheers and thanks Colleen
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Apr 14, margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive recently grown some huge cuc's first time lucky! but was wondering if I could dry some of the seeds in them to replant? does it work like this, big cuc's have more big cuc's, or should I just get seedlings again from the shop? and how to dry the seeds?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - arid climate)
just take the seeds and spread them out on a plate/saucer, place in a warm spot (window sill will do). When they have dried you can store them in a container (old jar with lid) & plant two or three seeds together in clumps and grow as normal. That's what worked for me with bush cucumbers that I grow in a large pot with a wire trellis around the pot with two or three clumps depending on the size of pot
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Apr 14, merrilyn (Australia - arid climate)
i sprinkle epson salts with the seeds when i plant them
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Apr 14, Michael (Australia - arid climate)
Yes, it's not actually salt but a naturally occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. Most plants need nutrients like magnesium and sulfur to stay in good health and Epsom salt makes the primary nutrients in most plant foods (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) more effective. Sprinkle Epsom salt once weekly to help nourish your houseplants, flowers and vegetables. www (dot)saltworks(dot)us/salt_info/epsom-uses-benefits(dot)asp
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jul 17, Oplitaxis (Australia - temperate climate)
Actually it IS a salt. ANY ionic compound is classified as a salt. Chemistry 101!
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Apr 14, Anton (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in Brisbane Qld. My cucumber & beet plants are being eaten up by small black ants, how can I prevent this.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Oct 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
My sister swears by sprinking pepper around the plant to stop all critters eating them. Give it a go.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Mar 14, Janette (Australia - temperate climate)
Why are my Lebanese cucumbers flowering, but no fruit setting?
Reply or Post a new comment
23 Mar 14, wilma. McAllister (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
we are growing Lebanese cucumber they are about 5 inch long green and prickley I thought they would be like the ones in the shop that you buy.. And to me they look just like the green cucumber you buy.. Should we pick them before they get prickles..thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 311 - 320 of 497 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.