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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
03 Feb 13, Margaret Hamilton (Australia - temperate climate)
Why are my cucumbers only producing male flowers?
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Jan 13, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
why some cucumbers are bitter
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Jan 13, Ian (Australia - temperate climate)
Two reasons not enough water. You have possibly let them dry out Second picked them to late
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 251 - 260 of 387 comments
See comments for all plants

Same problem here this year; beautiful leaves, taking over the area on my balcony....but all male flowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know with tomatoes you have to get the temperature to drop low enough to get them to fruit, maybe same with cucumbers?

- Tera in El Paso

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.