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 S
T T             T T T T
P               P P P P

(Best months for growing Cucumber in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Bring on in pots

  • 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

11 Dec 15, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
you can use tomato dust to get rid of any grubs that may be eating the leaves, it will not hurt the plant, just remember to wash it before you eat it. i grow them here in the deep south of nsw, they grow fast and i use liquid fertiliser onces a week when they have there fruit on them.
16 Jan 16, olly (Australia - temperate climate)
no don't use tomato dust it says specifically on the package not to use on cucumbers it is also harmful to bees which do the pollinating. if its caterpillars try just picking them off if it's white fly it can be hard I just try keeping their numbers down by picking the worst leaves off and giving the rest a good high pressure squirt with the hose
06 Dec 15, frank glennon (Australia - tropical climate)
I have 2 cucumber plants which are about 2 feet high with plenty of flowers I have picked 2 about 4ii long but now all my leaves have gone prickly and brown/yellow what should I do
17 Dec 15, Paul (Australia - arid climate)
Keep the watering at the base, not on the plant or mildew will set in. I mulch around the three seeds I've planted in a shallow depression to hold the water (arid here remember), thin to two and as the vines spread move them clockwise around itself to keep compact and to aid flower fertilisation and fruit development till it looks like a green pyramid or cone. Every year I get great Apple and Lebanese cucumbers using this method. Forgot where your seeds are germinating from? Jam a stake in the ground at the source so you can throw the hose into it.
30 Oct 15, Amit Bissa (Australia - arid climate)
I had two of them together. Before I planted cucumbers, tomatoes were growing good had 15 fruits on them. As soon as cucumbers were introduced. Tomatoes stopped growing and the fruits wilted quickly.
03 Jan 16, Loren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I just read that you should avoid planting cucumbers with tomatoes.
11 Dec 15, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
remove lower dieing leaves, will not hurt the plant
29 Oct 15, Cheryl (Australia - temperate climate)
I .have cucumbers and tomatoes in same garden, I just read they.shouldn't be. What will happen
03 Oct 15, Barbara mason (Australia - temperate climate)
All my apple cucumber seedling have been eaten, what do I use to prevent this happening when I plant again next week?
12 Aug 15, Jammie (Australia - temperate climate)
They haven't pollinated. If no bees are in your area you will have to manually polinate them.
Showing 171 - 180 of 387 comments

Hi i planted cucumbers few times this season and all the seedling have died again and again. Never had that problem in past. It was very hot recently in melbourne aus. Any thoughts???

- Param

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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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