Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Cucumber in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Bring on in pots

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm 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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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.
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08 Mar 21, Bill Lott (USA - Zone 9a climate)
How close is too close, to not plant near my tomato plants Thank You
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09 Mar 21, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Probably 2m.
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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.”
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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
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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.
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23 Jan 21, Andy Tobbins (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Can I grow Unagi cucumbers in 9a Zone
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25 Jan 21, (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Just treat as a normal cucumber for planting.
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12 Oct 20, kim (Australia - tropical climate)
What is the difference between bush and lebonese cucumbers.
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28 Dec 21, Mary (Australia - temperate climate)
One needs a trellis and the other not. So a bush variety grows in a small space and the vine variety sprawls on the ground or you can use a trellis for vertical growing.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 495 comments
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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.

- Jack

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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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