Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S              
        T T T          
        P P            

(Best months for growing Cucumber in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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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31 Oct 08, Bruce (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am having trouble with my cucumber seedlings, they start off okay and then wither away and die. What am I doing wrong? I do not water the leaves, I live in a cool climate and have them in a hot house.
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01 Nov 08, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Bruce, My first guess is that you are over-watering them, but to make a proper assessment we would need to know how much you are watering them etc. Titi, I have tried espresso coffee (diluted) sprayed around the seedlings and this seems to keep the slugs and snails at bay.
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06 Nov 08, steven (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my cucumbers are full of flowers but not many fruit they are in a 13ltr tub each plant and are fertilized am i watering to much HELPthankyou
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05 Dec 08, Emma (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I planted some cucumbers, as soon as they formed a nice leaf, something came along one night and ate the leafs, then next couple of nights they ate the hole stem right down to the grouend. What does that? PS This is the first stuff we have ever planted...we know nothing.
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06 Dec 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Emma, it sounds as though your cucumber plants have been eaten by slugs or snails. You could try some slug bait in half a plastic bottle (so that birds can't reach it) or go out with a torch to catch and kill them at night.
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18 Dec 08, dennis (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi! steve. when growing cucumbers in a container you must have good drainage the best fertilizer is blood and bone,& superphosphate.when first planted in a 13ltr container about one good handfull of each mixed well in to your potting mix then half a hand full wartered in when you have five leaves on the plant dont worry about to many flowers as the males will drop off and your females will give you fruit dont water the leaves or your will invite disease and white fly.all the best.
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01 Jan 09, Graeme (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 3 lebanise cucumber plants, all growing well and producing nice sized staight cucumbers. Then all three plants produced cucumbers that are curled, fat at the end and narrow towards the stem. Any ideas????
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05 Jan 09, ross (Australia - temperate climate)
how do u know when cucumber is ready for picking
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19 Jan 09, cal (Australia - temperate climate)
when planting cuccumbers it is a good idea to make a little mound so as they get bigger the vine runs down the mound and encourages growth PS if the cucumbers are lying on the ground the side on the dirt will go pale yellow or white, its a good idea to prop them up with a stake or rod
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21 Jan 09, Suzanne (Australia - temperate climate)
We planted about 6 cucumber plants and they were growing really well, but the fruit it produced left a bitter after taste. I'm not sure what is lacking in our soil. Does anyony have any suggestions?
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Showing 11 - 20 of 493 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. Gardenate 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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