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          
      T T T T T T      
      P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Cucumber in Australia - tropical 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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22 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Improving soil condition is about adding good soil if possible or adding organic matter - compost, manures, plant residue, grass clippings, veggie scraps etc to the soil and letting it all decompose - could take a few months. As for what to plant ask the locals what grows and what doesn't. I assume it is hot and wet so that rules a lot of things out. Look around and see what grows and have a go.
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22 Apr 17, Francesca Lemon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I am planning to move to Mount Victoria up in the Blue Mountains and was wondering if cucumber can grow in the cooler climate? Thanks!
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23 Apr 17, Ken (Australia - temperate climate)
You should be able to grow cucumbers successfully at Mt Victoria even with a longer winter as you get hot summers. Plant the seeds indoors in September in egg carton cells ready for transplanting into the garden in October. Plant the carton cell as well, it will rot. You can plant seed up until mid December. Choose a warm spot with good air circulation to reduce mildew problems. Growing them on a trellis is also beneficial.
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29 Mar 17, Grace Douglas (Australia - temperate climate)
Had such wonderful success with cucumbers in the summer of Jan - March. Will cucumbers grow in any other months in Endeavour Hills, Melbourne, Victoria? Question 2. I do not use any chemicals so have you a good idea of how to keep those moths away from Kale? If I put bird mesh over, the moths poke their noses tongues through.
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30 Mar 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)
To control cabbage moths and butterflies you could use Yates 'Natures Way' this is a safe organic spray and is harmless to everything except caterpillars. I have also heard of mixing bicarb soda and flour 50/50 and using as a dust. I haven't tried it but others say it works. It wouldn't cost you much to give it a try.
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30 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
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.
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05 Mar 17, Heather Andrews (Australia - temperate climate)
What time of the year do plant cucumbers in Adelaide we have many days over 33 degrees
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06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Cucumbers can be planted in Adelaide in the spring and summer. they like a good trellis to climb on and the tips can be pinched to encourage bushier growth. To reduce the chance of sunborn on those scorching days plant them along an east facing fence if you can. This will shelter them during the hottest part of the day. The other alternative is to plant a block of sweet corn and when the corn has taken off plant the cucumbers at their bases. This will give you free shade, free stakes and double crop! The stalks could also be used to support peas in the autumn and winter. Trust this helps.
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22 Feb 17, ebony (Australia - temperate climate)
thank you for your help
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05 Feb 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
How to tell when apple cucumbers are ready to pick
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If you have TRUE high humidity: humidex above 95% consistently -- then you have a real issue. If you have a "created" high humidity situation: like a poorly ventilated greenhouse; then correcting the ventilation will fix things. You can create an updraft by placing a screened window/door very close to ground level (or the lowest level that opens to fresh air) and then furthest and highest away from this point another screened window (on the ceiling/roof, or very high on the wall). So if you have a door on the North/East Bottom. the window goes on the South/West Top. When both of the windows are open, you should get a nice updraft that will whisk away all your humidity. It is best to situate the ground level door/window in a shady spot -- because this will be cooler air, and as this comes in it will force the hot/humid air up and out. There are also green house fans that can be installed (but if you do your updraft correctly you will probably not need one) ; and if you are fully indoors even a dehumidifier might work. If you are in a garden setting like the situation above; I think perhaps the cucumber created a roof that was helping hold in the moisture. In this case prune the cucumber to increase airflow. Things like fences can hold moisture; for example if you have a garden between two houses and there is a wood picket fence; this could impede the flow of air, and cause humidity to build up. The answer will ALMOST always be to increase air flow. If this is a true climate issue then you should select what you are growing with care, choosing plants that can tolerate high humidity; and still trying to situate your plants/garden in such a way that air flows freely. I have an allotment, that has "dense" fencing on two sides (I am in the back corner) and I can feel that I have an extra humid situation. I have found that runner beans do well; once they climb higher than fence level, they get a lot of air flow and do nicely. As far a hydroponics; I am not well versed enough to even begin guessing at the issues that may exist in these environments. Just remember that even when the humidex is NOT high, plants still need the airflow to move what they have transpired away from their leaves.

- 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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