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 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 40 - 60 cm 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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09 Mar 21, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Probably 2m.
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08 Feb 21, Lisa (USA - Zone 9a climate)
I heard they, like peas, don’t transplant well BUT you could start them in peat pots so the process of transplanting is less stressful. So I guess the answer is, “Yes, sow them indoors in peat pots.”
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23 Jan 21, Andy Tobbins (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Can I grow Unagi cucumbers in 9a Zone
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25 Jan 21, (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Just treat as a normal cucumber for planting.
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25 Aug 20, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Ignore my current zone, I used to live in central NH so I know your cuke season is brief. To me, nothing beats Chicago Pickling (a cheap and excellent heirloom) unless you have lots of disease challenges in your garden, in which case I'd go with Eureka--not quite as tasty, but vigorous. To get crunchy pickles, pick them small, put them in an ice bath right away and then pickle as soon as possible. For refrigerator pickles, calcium chloride helps keep them crunchy. For fermented (half-sours) you keep them crunchy by cutting off the blossom end of the cuke and adding tannins to the jar, from grape, oak, or horseradish leaves. That might help you with refrigerator pickles too. To me, the hardest part can be getting dill and cukes to be ready at the same time!
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23 Aug 20, Nathan (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Wanting to plant cucumbers for pickling next year 2021. Have always bought from another source and would like to do it my self. Want small cucumbers.. any suggestions on which kind? I make refrigerator pickles so want the “Crunch”. Thank you in advance
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24 Aug 20, Anonymous (USA - Zone 3b climate)
Google to find a recommended pickling cue.
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27 Jul 20, Shannon (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Does anyone know why not to plant close to tomatos? My garden plan has tomatos, sunflowers, and cucumbers vined along my fence. Should I move the tomatoes to where my snap peas will grow and put snap peas where tomatos were going to be?
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07 Aug 20, Liz (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Check here https://thehomestead.guru/companion-planting-2/
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14 Jun 20, Ann (USA - Zone 6a climate)
Is there a smaller pickling type cucumber that I could plant in a pot with a trellis in the month of June so that I would be able to get at least some cucumbers .
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Showing 21 - 30 of 43 comments
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Cucumbers often produce male flowers early in the season before they start to produce female (cucumber) flowers. The male flowers have a longer stem and do not have the unformed cucumber at the base of the flower. I'd say, give them a bit more time.

- John

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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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