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

08 Oct 16, Julie (Australia - tropical climate)
How can you tell when they are ready to be picked
15 Oct 16, Tim (Australia - temperate climate)
Anything above 10cm is good. Younger ones have a nice nutty flavour. leave them too long and they become a bit watery and sour.
26 Aug 16, james (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
always grow cucumbers in summer so they grow faster
01 Jun 16, I want to grow a garden (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is it a must to not plant tomatoes with Lebanese Cucumbers or just not advis
25 May 16, kim (Australia - tropical climate)
why dont you grow cucmbers with tomatoes
17 May 16, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Does anyone grow cucumbers through the winter in gold coast????????????
19 May 16, Harrison Bath (Australia - temperate climate)
yes
20 May 16, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey Harrison. .....was wondering if you can talk me through it. Eg which type you grow and how you water. Do you fertilise? I've got lots of cucumbers atm and would like to keep them going through winter. Will my cucumber seeds planted today grow ok as it gets colder? So many questions haha. Thanks for any advice ☺
05 Apr 16, chann sopheap (Australia - temperate climate)
we want to know information on how to culture sweet yellow cucumber and price of seed.
07 Mar 16, Mute (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I germinate and plant cucumber seeds in Sydney during March as weather is still warm? Will I get cucs? Just ripped my two vines as they stopped producing and wondering whether I can get another two in, grown from seed.
Showing 141 - 150 of 387 comments

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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