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 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is a bit like going for a swim in winter compared to summer. It is a spring crop - not winter. It says plant from August - that is only 4 weeks away. There is a reason why you plant at a certain time - different plants need different temperatures to grow - to achieve the best results.
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17 Apr 18, Merinda (Australia - temperate climate)
I am getting lots of flowers on my plant and they are turning into fruit, but die at about 2cm, why? How do I get more fruit, I only got 1 cucumber that grew to 10cm
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18 Apr 18, John Macmahon (Australia - temperate climate)
This may be a bit late for this year but my best suggestion is that after one or two fruit (cucumbers) on each runner have set, pinch off the end of the runner. This means the plant puts its resources into the fruit instead of growing a longer runner. Cheers Arismac
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18 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The flower with no fruit is a male flower. The flower with a small cue is the female flower - if it is not pollinated then it dies. You probably no bees (or more like very few of them) in your area. You might have to hand pollinate each day. Or plant some bee attracting flowers to encourage more bees to come to your area.
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19 Apr 18, Mac (Australia - temperate climate)
Plant some Basil and let it flower. Bees just love it and they will keep coming back for most of the summer and autumn. Solved my problem with all my Curcurbits (melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, etc)
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22 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I will try that. Over the summer I had about 20 sun jewel flowers plants in my garden, with hundreds if not thousands of flower heads - saw about two bees all summer. The bee population has taken a massive hit world wide I hear.
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14 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted borage about 4 mths ago and it has attracted a lot of bees. I recently planted some more bee attracting flowers.
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20 Feb 18, Jim (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best variety to grow in the Bendigo area to make cucumber pickles (4-6kgs per batch)
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21 Feb 18, John (Australia - temperate climate)
We grow a variety called Biet Alpha and picked copious amounts of cucumbers off it. It is a more traditional green cucumber with bristle patches on the skin. The cucumbers were about 15-18 cm long but the size is certainly compensated by the yield.
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20 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to internet seed selling companies - Boondie Seed, Collection, New Life and look through the varieties there. You need a burping variety I have read.
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Showing 81 - 90 of 387 comments
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ive had much success with cucumber in Melbourne over a number of years. this year ive decided to plant more pumpkins, zucchini, sweetcorn and watermelon. therefor I don't have as much room in my veggie patches. Just wondering if anyone has had success with cucumbers in potted baskets as I have some wondering what to put in them. a good quality potting mix and keep well watered... would a cucumber live like this?

- Brad

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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.
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