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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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02 Jan 15, Doris thomas (Australia - arid climate)
When is the right time to pick Apple cucumber
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25 Dec 14, aimee (Australia - temperate climate)
am growingcucumber in grand coverd in flowers not one cucumberi am desperat ples help
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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.
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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.
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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 ?
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Showing 191 - 200 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.

- Anonymous

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