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

23 Mar 15, kate (Australia - temperate climate)
First time gardener , planted cucumber were growing nicely one day next day all leaves are eaten look awful black spots on underneath of the leaves - what is it and can I save what I have left ?
30 Jan 15, Priscilla (Australia - temperate climate)
My cucumbers are light green in colour, huge, and odd shaped. some of the stems were prickly is that right.
11 Dec 15, Bill (Australia - temperate climate)
yep should be prickly like on the stems and leaves and fruit
27 Jan 15, andy. (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ihave some apple cucumbers growing.Some plants have a good crop others have none at all.What is going on?
08 Nov 15, Ashley Duffin (Australia - arid climate)
This sounds like a pollination problem. if you are using bug sprays , avoid using during flowering. having more of the same plants close together (high density plantings) can aid this also , although a use of trellising to keep area workable may be needed, to avoid mildew diseases. If sprinkler watering try doing this when pollination insects are less active to stimulate more productive pollination.
25 Jan 15, Kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted a couple of cucumber plants. I had never done this before. Next thing I know these pumpkin looking plants popped up. (Had no idea what they were. Thought I had been given wrong plants in my punnet. ). Now I have heaps of apple cumbers but the leaves on the plants look different. One darker than the other. The darker plant is providing no fruit, the other is very generous. Should I keep the plant with the darker leaves or discard
20 Jan 15, Don ride (Australia - temperate climate)
When should these be picked.When do you know they are ripe How long will they keep My plants seem to be bearing lots
17 Jan 15, Summer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
. Press a male and female flower together (still attached to the plant) so the male dust and female dust mixes. This is how you make cucumbers
06 Jan 15, Caitlin (Australia - arid climate)
I have my veggie garden at home it is full with lettuce, tomato, corn, capsicum, cucumber and beans. My cucumber plant was getting bigger and was starting to kill my other plants so I decided to replant it when it had cucumbers on it. Now they are dying but it is hot so what can I do?? Was it the right thing to do ??
04 Jan 15, Karl (Australia - temperate climate)
Never water your cucumbers at evening as that's what causes the mildew on leaves. You don't need to spray with anything just eliminate the cause don't treat the symptom. Water between 5 and 9 in the morning when their nutrient uptake is at its best.
Showing 181 - 190 of 387 comments

Hi Steph, I just planted the seedling from the tray to the ground. I was using seasol to develop its roo. I have heard the fertilisers are strong and tender plants like cucumber doesn't like it.

- SP

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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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