Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S S S          
      T T T T T T      
      P P P P P        

(Best months for growing Cucumber in Australia - tropical 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

01 Feb 18, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
My apple cucumbers have flowers but no cucumbers there are lots of lady Beatles on them do not like to use a chemical spray could that be the reason?
05 Feb 18, Darren (Australia - arid climate)
By lady beetles, I assume you mean ladybugs. They are a beneficial insect so I wouldn't recommend spraying them. I am having the same problem; apparently it has something to do with the extreme heat.
05 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Check to see you have female and male flowers. There can be up to 7 times more male than female flowers. Usually on the vines come male flowers first and then produces female flowers. The female may only be open for 1 day. Do some hand pollinating. Look up the internet for a youtube video.
28 Jan 18, JOHN schofield (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Help I got such nice fruit but they get stung and I cut off the worst part deep cut and eat rest taste great so my question what do I do as I don’t spray and they grow against a wall ,
30 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I take it you mean they are stung by some insect. Try and find an organic spray on the internet. Try and work out what the insect is.
28 Dec 17, Tony (Australia - temperate climate)
Can you freeze Apple Cucumbers. As I have tons of them all growing at the same time
01 Jan 18, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
No you cant freeze them, they go all horridable, mushy.
30 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They would probably end up all mushy. Try pickling them - look up internet for a pickling recipe . You only need a plant or two to feed a family - or stagger the planting times. Feed the neighbours or friends. I have just given away over half my sweet corn crop (30 plants) as I didn't think they would hold on too well (go starchy) in the current hot weather.
14 Dec 17, Brenda (Australia - temperate climate)
Same of the Lebanese cucumbers different colours bit lighter are they still okay to eat .
08 Dec 17, john shsnahan (Australia - temperate climate)
Check for Red spider they love cucumber
Showing 91 - 100 of 387 comments

Try growing on a trellis. An inverted V or even a vertical one. I'm trying a vertical one at the moment. Pumpkins and watermelons take up so much room. Best to decide what you are going to plant and where before you start planting. Give each the required area to produce a good crop.

- Mike

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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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