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

03 Jan 15, pete (Australia - temperate climate)
I have tried to grow apple cucumbers for 3 years now without success i live in south brisbane is it the climate that is the problem they look great full of flowers but no fruit
09 Jan 15, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, ours were the same, plenty of male flowers, then the female flowers (they have a very small cucumber at the base of the flower) came and then the cucumbers came. If they have female flowers already but no cucumber they may not be getting pollinated. I planted basil to attract the bees to my veggie patch. Hope this helps.
16 Jan 16, olly (Australia - arid climate)
I plant sun flowers in pots they are cheap and easy to grow and great for attracting bees for pollination
03 Jan 15, Roy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Excellent tip about the milk and whey Nicole, one day when I found that milk that was too off to use I thought about just that, Another use for it was that flying foxes don't like it.
02 Jan 15, Allen Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Possibly possums are eating your apple cucumber they love the juicy inners also could be a rodent they go for the seeds or if you have rabbits in the area they will munch on anything they do this not just for eating but to keep those front teeth from getting too big.
02 Jan 15, Doris thomas (Australia - arid climate)
When is the right time to pick Apple cucumber
25 Dec 14, aimee (Australia - temperate climate)
am growingcucumber in grand coverd in flowers not one cucumberi am desperat ples help
14 Dec 14, George (Australia - temperate climate)
My father is an avid cucumber grower and he and all his friends this year initially had cucumbers but later the plants grew with plenty of leaves but no cucumbers. In Sydney we have had alot of rain probably daily over the last few weeks but it was interesting that he and all his friends had the same issue of not many cues but heaps of growth and leaves.
30 Dec 14, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
George sounds like your fathers plants have access to too much nitrogen which usually results in lush green growth but at the cost of flowers and fruit.
12 Dec 14, Suzanne Riggs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am growing my Lebanese cucumbers in a pot with a trellis covered in flowers growing well and not one cucumber! what can I do ?
Showing 191 - 200 of 387 comments

I am getting lots of flowers on my plant and they are turning into fruit, but die at about 2cm, why? How do I get more fruit, I only got 1 cucumber that grew to 10cm

- Merinda

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.