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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06 Mar 16, roxanne chappell (Australia - temperate climate)
I seem to have have the some problem as others. I have got plenty of apple cucumbers grown but the leaves seem to be dieing. A closer inspection of the leaves there are little black bugs but they dont seem to live long then die on the leaves and it looks like dirt has been thrown over the leaves
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04 Mar 16, Linda Mitchell (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, My apple cucumbers grow great and have plenty of flowers and little tiny cucumbers. Then the leaves start going yellow and brown from the bottom of the vine and the whole plant dies. What is wrong with them?
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02 Mar 16, Andre (Australia - arid climate)
G'day John,maybe it is a pollination issue or you may have another plant that is not a good companion,this might sound strange but you could give your cukes a shake I do this with tomatoes almost like self pollinating,oh and by the way I live in Japan.Cheers...
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01 Mar 16, My name is John (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted three A/C well before xmas I got one Cu early january nothing since plenty of healthy growth and flowers with little what I thought were little c/us the plant is growing like mad should I pull it out and wait till next year.
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01 Mar 16, Bron Ramey (Australia - temperate climate)
We have had an extremely humid hot summer here on the coast. Plenty cucs no zucs. It's definitely a pollinator thang- few bees but lots of others ie wasps etc. If you are in a warmish enviro, just wait; those female or male flowers will arrive and the bees will come. Provide water in your garden- dishes, baths etc. Other reasons could be that the cucs are being over fertilised, not in the sun enuf etc. Google (but wait)
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17 Feb 16, Tyler (Australia - temperate climate)
good website and tips
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12 Feb 16, GREG (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am growing standard cucumbers, have heaps on vines, also growing in with tomatoes,an chilli plant. No chillies yet though. So why can't you grow cucumbers with tomatoes
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26 Jan 16, Maggie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a great vine with heaps of flower still haven't got any cucumber I have had to pollinate myself do the cucumbers grow where the flowers fall off.
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17 Jan 16, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi guys new to this site just looking for helpful hints on starting my cucumber plant for best results. I have read that a trellis set up is best and no fertilizer until it flowers
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24 Jan 16, Sarah Day (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi David, i dont bother to trellis, i let them grow like pumpkins along the ground. yes this can leave a yellowing on the bottom, but they grow well and taste perfect, in fact im having trouble keeping up with them. I did this last year because i planted seeds in a large seed raising tray and let them go to far before transplanting and so i just upturned the tray and planted it undisturbed in the middle of a garden bed. We are growing on raised beds as our soil is stoney and clay and we are totally reliant on rainwater. We are in central Victoria and have hot harsh summers so i set up a shadecloth cover for the really hot days. 13mm spray irrigation and we have had no powdery mildew at all. Hope your cues are starting to grow. :)
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Showing 151 - 160 of 387 comments
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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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