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 Nov 10, Di Liversidge (Australia - tropical climate)
I have lots of small cuces on the plants but they go yellow and rot when they are still about 3cms long. What's wrong with them? The plants have lots and lots of flowers and look healthy. It's wet season in Darwin so they are getting plenty of water and are in a rectangular pot with plenty of drainage.
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21 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
You may also want to consider little bugs chewing the stems behind your cuces try spraying them with some dipel or pest oil some of the bugs are so tiny its difficult to see them and with it being the wet season where you are caterpillars could also be the culprit. Also if you have used seeds that you have saved or been given by someone else it could be a case of them being a hybrid which means they wont produce.
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21 Nov 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It could be that the flowers aren't getting pollinated. You could chase some bees in the right direction or brush the male flowers (with a straight stem and no bulge behind the flower) onto the female flowers (which will have a tiny cucumber behind them).
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18 Nov 10, Russell (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted (seedlings) 4 cucumbers and 6 zucchinis (Zs) in deep well nourished soil (Bokashied food scraps) in an area about 140 X 90cm, put 4 180cm stakes at the corners and strung wire horizontally at 20cm intervals to support the Z leaves which are huge. During growth I am removing many of the Z leaves to let the sun in. I spray any powdery mildew (pm) with Echo Rose which 'eats' pm (and black spot). Fantastic results. Not like last year when the Zs went all over the place on the ground with stacks of pm
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28 Jul 10, Darren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Has anyone tried growing the armenian type cucumbers up in brisbane if so did you grow on a trellis
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13 Apr 13, Alex (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Heya did you ever find about growing these? They sound amazing and I was considering giving it a shot on the GC Hinterland.
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28 Jul 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I grew them in Armidale (cool climate) last summer. They did fine growing sprawling across the ground.
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16 May 10, Phil (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've heard that leaving sliced or whole cucumber in the garden helps to ward off bugs and beasties. Is this true?
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05 Jun 10, Martyn (Australia - temperate climate)
We've had success with sliced cucumber on aluminium trays. Maybe its the taste (to the slugs and snails) or a chemical reaction with the Al but they've stayed away
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18 May 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
Lots of slugs and slaters have been tucking into the old cucumbers I didn't harvest, so it doesn't work for them!
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Showing 431 - 440 of 497 comments
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This is caused by recent humid weather. It is powdery mildew. You can try spraying with a mixture of bi-carb soda - 2 tbsp and a couple of drops dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. It may be too late to save them and if you do this too often the salts are bad for your soil.

- julian

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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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