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

13 Mar 21, Peter Cyr (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I plan to plant them in a spot with a bag of composted chicken manure in Zone 8b. Any suggestions? Last year my cuke plants were glorious and were started from a packet of seeds. Unfortunately I did not get one cuke. Lots of flowers but I think they turned out to be all males.
02 Oct 22, Tera in El Paso (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Same problem here this year; beautiful leaves, taking over the area on my balcony....but all male flowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know with tomatoes you have to get the temperature to drop low enough to get them to fruit, maybe same with cucumbers?
15 Mar 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Mix in well composted manure with some good friable soil - about 1 part manure to 3 parts soil. Too much manure and the soil will have too much nitrogen. The female flowers have little cucumbers behind the flower. You need bees to pollinate the flowers. Check between 7 and 11am to see if bees are active. You can hand pollinate, read how to do it.
08 Mar 21, Bill Lott (USA - Zone 9a climate)
How close is too close, to not plant near my tomato plants Thank You
09 Mar 21, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Probably 2m.
08 Feb 21, Lisa (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I heard they, like peas, don’t transplant well BUT you could start them in peat pots so the process of transplanting is less stressful. So I guess the answer is, “Yes, sow them indoors in peat pots.”
25 Jan 21, Glenys Smith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I had planted Lebanese cucumber and only got 2 cucumbers then the plant got riddled in grubs have since planted some more and wondering what I can do to prevent it happening again. I hate using chemicals if I can help it
27 Jan 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Look up an organic spray on the net. Most things in nature breeds around rainfall - birds, weeds, insects etc.
23 Jan 21, Andy Tobbins (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Can I grow Unagi cucumbers in 9a Zone
25 Jan 21, (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Just treat as a normal cucumber for planting.
Showing 61 - 70 of 497 comments

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

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.