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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16 Sep 13, ej (Australia - temperate climate)
When potting up, cover each drainage hole with a used tea bag. It will keep both the ants & the worms out.
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05 Feb 13, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Im growing cucumber in large,deep,planting bags. I planted 8 seedlings about a week ago and they are in a full sun position, I water them twice a day ( not flood them probably about a cup each ) I have lost 3 so far, its almost as if they have been sprayed with weed killer, they have just curled up and shrivelled away. Can you advice me on how to save the last 5 plants.
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03 Feb 13, Margaret Hamilton (Australia - temperate climate)
Why are my cucumbers only producing male flowers?
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02 Feb 13, Barbara Mewburn (Australia - temperate climate)
The apple cucumbers have grown with very flat -almost fluted main stems, with many cucumbers on them. (I've never seen anything like it.) They are all dissapointingly bitter. some are growing up the fence, the rest are growing very low to the ground. My husband has watered them every second day overhead. I suspect that they haven't been watered deeply enough. He is reluctant to put in the watering system, he likes watering by hand. Now many of the leaves are rotting in one patch. He has grown cucumbers successfully before. Thankyou, in anticipation.
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09 Feb 13, David Kiefel (Australia - temperate climate)
I have read recently that cucumbers like a deep watering which apparently assists in making them less bitter... seems to be working so far.
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02 Feb 13, Karl Swadek (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you know when the apple cucumber is ready to pick, it is about 12cm long.
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11 Jan 13, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
why some cucumbers are bitter
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25 Jan 13, Ian (Australia - temperate climate)
Two reasons not enough water. You have possibly let them dry out Second picked them to late
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21 Dec 12, allen lee (Australia - temperate climate)
The reason cues may go yellow could be if grown on the ground the fruit doesn't get enough light and as it throws out more leaves it becomes more shadowed try growing on trellis and cut away any yellowing leaves allow light into bush also give good spray with seasol (seaweed) & eco fungicide.
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06 Dec 12, Renee (Australia - temperate climate)
We are producing cucumbers but the skin is yellow and inside they are soft and mushy?? Thought they might be zucchinis but inside has seeds and the skin is prickly?? What am i doing wrong?
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Have you had a lot of humidity (higher than usual) lately ? If so, your plants may be having a hard time transpiring. Transpiration is the process of releasing moisture (like sweating and evaporation rolled into one). Plants suck up water through their roots and move the water up through their stems and into their leaves, where they release the water (transpiration). Only about 5-10% of the water they intake is used for growth - the rest is released into the environment. The movement of water facilitates the movement of nutrients. So if the movement of water is SLOWED due to really high humidity (and this mostly happens in greenhouses when they are not properly ventilated) plants start to show signs of nutrient deficiencies of all kinds (maybe blossom end rot in tomatoes despite having plenty of bio-available calcium in the soil). That is to say; you could have a lot of misleading signs like: blossom end rot, or nitrogen deficiency (honestly I'm not sure which nutrients need the most water to be moved).....but the take away is the signs could be really confusing, and appear totally illogical. This only happens in high humidity situations; again like an improperly vented greenhouse, or if somehow you have managed to trap the humidity in your space...... this is a long shot.....but I lived on the Gold Coast (Broad Beach area) 30+ years ago...... and I still remember how humid it could get... especially further North. Clearly, some plants are better at moving the water in high humidity situations....tomatoes tend to have difficulty in very high humidity. Ensuring proper air flow may be helpful.

- 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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