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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20 Apr 11, Brooke (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've found with young plants they often produce flowers whithout the fruit when they first start flowering but then do eventually start to fruit as well.
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20 Apr 11, Brooke (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've found with young plants they often produce flowers whithout the fruit when they first start flowering but then do eventually start to fruit as well.
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09 Mar 11, Sam Moloney (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've just planted some cucumber seeds into my brand new veggie patch and they sprouted within a few days. The seedlings are growing really well but I've got 2 - 3 big "clumps" of 4 - 5 seedlings each. Obviously I have to thin them out but I'm not 100% sure when I should do this? The seedlings are about 10cm tall already (after 10 days!)..
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09 Mar 11, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sam, You could thin them out quite soon by using scissors to snip off the plants that you don't want as close to the ground as you can. If you try to pull them out, you might end up with the whole lot lifting and damaging their roots.
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14 Mar 11, Sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for that. One more question (this applies to thinning out other plants too) - do I just leave one seedling in each spot or can I still leave 2 - 3??
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20 Feb 11, Melissa (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Maybe, if the main stem isn't broken off from the roots. I'd water it with a weak seaweed concentrate every day for a week before discarding it.
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22 Feb 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Melissa - yes, seaweed solution was my automatic response, but I hadn't thought of keeping it up for a week. I'm following your advice and am very pleased to report that my plant is looking much healthier. Thanks again!
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19 Feb 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Help! Accidentally pulled a cucumber plant right out of the ground when fiddling with stocking ties in the rain. Replanted immediately, but it is very limp and sad looking. was beautiful. can i save it?'
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20 Feb 11, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It might help to give it a bit of shade - pile up the mulch around it or arrange some sticks and shadecloth over the top. Plus gallons of water while it tries to get its roots re-established
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22 Feb 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks - stepping up the 'kindness' a notch is definitely helping - it's now looking better every day.
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Showing 411 - 420 of 495 comments
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My cucumbers have been weird this year. They are similar to John D's - they have grown in the shape of a butternut pumpkin from early on and they are now about 30 cm and yellow/brown. They have good sunlight, were watered regularly, in mushroom compost. They did not at any stage go dark green, just from light green to yellow. They probably weigh about 2 kilo's each. I have not cut one open yet - i think the whole crop may be headed to the chickens... any ideas to avoid the same next year would be appreciated.

- Ben R

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