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

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13 Jan 13, Charles L (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes, growing them on the ground is begging for trouble. I'd say it's almost a guaranteed disease target. A trellis is really the only way to go....although I sometimes have them growing up adjacent bushes/small trees as well. On the ground the moisture and lack of air flow is a calling card for mildew and wilts..
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15 Oct 12, bill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i grow them on the ground on top of mulch and it is the first time this has happened
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15 Oct 12, bill (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my cucumber leaves are slowly disintergrating like they have mildew on them ? help please
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20 Oct 12, tracy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
sorry bill but I think the cucumber has had it. You could give it a good dose of seaweed emulsion or fish emulsion and see if the plant improves. May be a soil born virus so if the plant does not pick up. best to pull it out and move cucumber growing to a different spot of the veggie patch. I would rest the affected bed, build it up with plenty of organic matter-maybe a green manure crop and try again in a year or so. Hope this helps.
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17 Sep 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
do they all grow on trellis?
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17 Sep 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've grown cucumbers both trailing across the ground and on top of straw mulch. They were fine, although the skins were white where they touched the ground. A bit more slug/snail damage as it was easier for the pests to get to them.
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18 Aug 12, Patri (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When a cucumber plant starts getting smaller flowers, does it mean nutrient deficiency or that the plant is coming to an end soon?
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29 Feb 12, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Diana, I find wiping the freshly picked cucumber with a cloth removes the prickles, then you can handle them without being pricked.
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27 Feb 12, Diana Pryde (Australia - temperate climate)
How do you avoid prickling yourself when preparing cucumbers for salads?
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11 Feb 12, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
I have a burpless cucumber and it is growong well I have had about 4 normal cucumber. But now it is growing one that look more like a rockmelon any sugegestion.
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Showing 271 - 280 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.

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