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

11 Dec 09, Tiggerbow (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi john d, It is possbile that that is as big as the cucumber/zuchinni was going to get. It is best to pick these fruits when they are still rather small. I have heard that when a cucumber goes dark green and the little spike start to grow on them they are ready. With a zuchinni is is best to pick when they are around 15 cm or so for nice sweet fruit. Apparently with zuchinni you are supposed to be able to pierce it with your fingernail. Both of these fruit grow very fast so it is best to check them at least every day. We have had success growing these for the first time this year. Good luck and happy eating !! Jodie
10 Dec 09, john d (Australia - temperate climate)
hi i have planted cucumbers twice this year, they get to about 30cm then started going yellow and eventually die. any ideas what could be causing this? same thing happened to the zucchini planted near by but all the other vegies are ok.. i have mixed horse manure in th eground could that be th eproblem? any ideas would be much appreciated cheers
10 Dec 09, fezz (Australia - temperate climate)
this (and last year) my cucumbs.never got off the ground . the first year i couldnt give enuff away so i pickled them. the next yr. igot half the yeild, although they grew 8 feet up the trellis. but the last two yrs. they grew only 2 foot . the cucumbs get to about 3-5 cms long and wilt and dry up brown b4 falling off. can anyonbe tell me whats going wrong. theyre grown in the same spot every year
08 Dec 09, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)
H Katya, Your cucumbers sound like they have mould. I make some chamomile tea and when cooled, spray it directly onto the leaves. I also use it on tomatoes and zucchini. Works perfectly! I do it about every 10 days. Didn't know about it last year - wish i did!
30 Nov 09, Tony Williams (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm growing "Bush Champion" cucumbers and they are now starting to produce fruit, I've never grown cucumbers before and am wondering when is the best time to harvest them.
23 Nov 09, StanK (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Katja, to control mould spray with a mixture of 8 parts of cow's milk and 2 parts water.
06 Nov 09, jo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have 10 cucumber plants that have grown well and and i have picked 2 dozen or so beautiful ones,however the last lot that were ready were soft.(what's wrong)
04 Nov 09, SP (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Steph, I just planted the seedling from the tray to the ground. I was using seasol to develop its roo. I have heard the fertilisers are strong and tender plants like cucumber doesn't like it.
02 Nov 09, Katja (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have 2 cucumber plants growing quite well with lots of flowers and some cucumbers starting to grow. The older leaves are starting to get what looks like white bits of mould on them, and some of those 'mouldy' leaves are starting to turn yellow. Overall the plants still seem quite healthy but I don't seem to be able to control the mould. I always water them from the bottom and they are growing on mounds. They don't have full sun all day so their growing position isn't ideal. The same type of thing appears to be happening to my zucchini and squash plants (even those in pretty much full sun). Is there any way to stop the mould? Any tips much appreciated! : )
12 Oct 09, Wayne (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Liam, I would buy cucumbers after the last frost. When the soil warms they are more profilic.
Showing 351 - 360 of 387 comments

Cucumbers. I always grow Lebanese Cuces, supported by the chicken wire fence of my garden. This year the vines look great and there are lots of bees feeding on the flowers, but I am only getting about one Cuce per day. Feeding liquid manure, mixed with Dynamic Lifter. Any ideas why the crop is so small? Cheers Pete.

- Peter

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