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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
12 Dec 14, Karyn West (Australia - temperate climate)
My cucumbers were going great guns for about 3 weeks and then the leaves had a grey tinge to them and now the leaves are pale, yellow, sickly, flowers have disappeared and the cucumbers are curling:( What happened????
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Dec 14, Nicole (Australia - temperate climate)
Could be powdery mildew. Make sure you don't wet the leaves when you water. I use a soaker hose. I also spray the plant with milk, whey or sauerkraut juice as the lactobacillis is a natural enemy to fungi. Bicarb of soda and water is also a possibility as it raises the pH. Here's a Youtube video showing powdery mildew on cucumbers to see if that is what your problem is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdaN_wUsalE
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Nov 14, Grant Campbell (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi my question is my Lebanese cucumber vine is growing out of control on the ground if I cut half of the vine will it kill the whole plant?
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Dec 14, nick (Australia - temperate climate)
Should be fine. Mine keeps growing more heads and I cut them off all the time to discourage growth. Be mindful you don't the important stems though. Personally I have mine growing out of a DIY pine box with 5 in 1 bsoil up a fly screen frame.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Nov 14, Murray (Australia - temperate climate)
When do you know when they are ripe and ready o pick im talking about standard cucumber
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Nov 14, Lea (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have apple cucumbers growing to day I found one that has been half eaten I left it can you tell me what kind of animals would eat them
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Nov 14, bruce (Australia - tropical climate)
apple cucumber lots of fruit & flowers but not getting any bigger
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Nov 14, chris edwards (Australia - temperate climate)
do apple cucumbers need bees to polinate
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Nov 14, Stevie (Australia - temperate climate)
Can i plant these right next to a mesh fence so they grow up the fence?
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Nov 14, lindsay (Australia - temperate climate)
my cucumber plant outside leaves are drying but they seem to be shooting from the centre .is this natural .this is the ist time i have tried to grow them
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 201 - 210 of 387 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.