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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09 Mar 11, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sam, You could thin them out quite soon by using scissors to snip off the plants that you don't want as close to the ground as you can. If you try to pull them out, you might end up with the whole lot lifting and damaging their roots.
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14 Mar 11, Sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for that. One more question (this applies to thinning out other plants too) - do I just leave one seedling in each spot or can I still leave 2 - 3??
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20 Feb 11, Melissa (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Maybe, if the main stem isn't broken off from the roots. I'd water it with a weak seaweed concentrate every day for a week before discarding it.
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22 Feb 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Melissa - yes, seaweed solution was my automatic response, but I hadn't thought of keeping it up for a week. I'm following your advice and am very pleased to report that my plant is looking much healthier. Thanks again!
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19 Feb 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Help! Accidentally pulled a cucumber plant right out of the ground when fiddling with stocking ties in the rain. Replanted immediately, but it is very limp and sad looking. was beautiful. can i save it?'
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20 Feb 11, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It might help to give it a bit of shade - pile up the mulch around it or arrange some sticks and shadecloth over the top. Plus gallons of water while it tries to get its roots re-established
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22 Feb 11, Beth (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks - stepping up the 'kindness' a notch is definitely helping - it's now looking better every day.
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06 Feb 11, Joe (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
To Bob (Jan 29) Dear Bob, I have a suggestion as to the problem with the palm tree. That's go to scrap merchant or dealer and purchase an old copper hot water cylinder and cut into sheet form and place in the ground in a vertical manner against the fence closest to palm tree, so when the roots of the palm come contact with the copper they will die whether this kills the tree I am unsure but I hope that you can sucessfully grow your garden and have plenty vegetables. Follow up if you have any queries via email
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03 Feb 11, theressa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i think i have cucumbers growing in my padock they have the same flower and leaves but the fruit is prigkley when i cut one open it was about 10cm long it smelt and looked like one first time gardner is this how they start of any help would be great
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09 Mar 11, jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have cucumbers in the garden and in the paddock - and I don't think this is my fault I think it may be birds and wildlife. My cucumbers are prickly and the stems are extremely prickly. Their flowers are yellow.
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Showing 311 - 320 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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