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
05 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Crook Neck, as it is called is mostly caused by uneven pollination which could be attributed to lack of pollinating insects or low humidity. It is a very dissappointing condition and if you cut the cucumber longways you will find the inside of the curve not properly formed. You could try hand pollinating by pickig off some male flowers, removing the petals and rubbing them inside the female flowers. Trust this helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jan 17, Posholi (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hi,I am in Maseru Lesotho. Where in the Freestate province can i purchase cucumber seedlings??
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jul 16, Herbert Nyakutsikwa (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Where can I get english cucumber seeds in Johanessburg or rest of RSA
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Jun 16, Tumahole Wilson Tumahole (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi there I am in Lesotho and would like to know if there is a place in Ladybrand or Bloemfontein were I can get cucumber seeds? faithfully Tumahole Wilson Tumahole
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Jun 16, Piet van staden (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Hi looking for gherkins have a small tunel can they grow now in a tunnel here in western cape Thanks piet
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Jan 16, Robert (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Why do my cucumbers taste bitter I used cow manure
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Feb 16, hennie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
bitter cucumbers usual are moisture starved , the most common is that they have grown to large for the cultivar , pick them young , to get better quality fruit.
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Feb 18, Ahad (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
Cut small piece of cucumber by stem side, and rub two cutted side throughly. Until it make no white foam. Then it will be bitter less.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Aug 15, Mojo (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
The effect of temperature especially the fruit quality
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Nov 15, Charmaine Embleton (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Hello Faiz, you can buy english cucumber seeds from - Livingseeds.co.za - have a look & get them on-line. They have a wide variety of heirloom seedlings... Regards Charmaine
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 21 - 30 of 36 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.