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

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12 Nov 17, Sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have small 1 1/2cm cucumbers all over my plant. But they are not growing any bigger. They have been this size for weeks. Any help would be appreciated!
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13 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably need bees or hand pollinate them. Check if there is male and female flowers.
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25 Oct 17, Grace (Australia - temperate climate)
If it's white,cabbage moth that are eating your plants you can plant land cress & dill near them & the moths will be more attracted to it & hopefully leave your Kale alone, we tried it & it worked when they were attacking our brocolini :)
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03 Oct 17, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
ive had much success with cucumber in Melbourne over a number of years. this year ive decided to plant more pumpkins, zucchini, sweetcorn and watermelon. therefor I don't have as much room in my veggie patches. Just wondering if anyone has had success with cucumbers in potted baskets as I have some wondering what to put in them. a good quality potting mix and keep well watered... would a cucumber live like this?
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04 Oct 17, Sam D (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, place in a pot 'at-least' 40cm, 50cm or bigger would be better, use good quality potting mix and make a wooden frame with wire mesh for the plant to climb.
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04 Oct 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm sure it would, in the right sized pot. A good quality potting mix, with plenty of compost added to it, and some coir peat to help moisture retention. But what are you growing with your sweetcorn? The cucumbers could grow around and up the corn.
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06 Oct 17, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
When the corn get big enough i was thinking of running beans up them.
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03 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
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.
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21 Aug 17, JC (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, I've just moved to Cocos Keeling Islands and have heard it is difficult to grow any fruit or veg here. Any advice on what to plant and when, how to improve soil conditions etc. would be appreciated as fresh food options are costly and not reliable. TIA
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24 Aug 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
This is just a generic answer, not specific to the Cocos Keeling Islands. Any where the soil conditions or climate are considered poor, I would suggest raised garden beds filled with a good soil blend and organic matter. If the soil is unavailable, then a good potting mix (without moisture retention) and organic matter/compost will be fine. Then just grow what you want according to your climate.
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It is very hard to grow things during summer along the coast in Qld with all the rain and heat. Generally start planting seeds etc late Feb/Mar. Rain brings on the breeding cycle of a lot of insects etc. If plants are growing fast and too big - too much nitrogen. Yellow leaves - with lots of rain the fertiliser is leached through the soil. Also yellow leaves can be from a trace element deficiency. Use a fert that has trace elements. Here is my tips - during summer try and improve your soil with compost manures etc. Put grass clippings and leaves etc on you garden bed and dig in and turn over a couple of times during summer. Soil has to be watered to help break down the leaves etc. You should then only need a very light feritising.before planting in March. Plant cabbage broccoli etc in early May.

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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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