Your comments and tips

30 Mar 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)

Cucumbers like frost free conditions so can be planted after the last frost. Try planting them in September in egg carton cells or toilet paper cylinders and keep them inside on a sunny windowsill. They can then be planted out in late October when the soil has warmed up. Most summer crops can be planted in late October in southern Victoria. You often hear people say 'after the grand final' or around Melbourne Cup as this is about when the soil normally reaches 17 degrees.

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16 Mar 17, Margaret McDonald (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Why are the skins (of Lebanese cucumbers) so tough?

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05 Mar 17, Heather Andrews (Australia - temperate climate)

What time of the year do plant cucumbers in Adelaide we have many days over 33 degrees

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06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Cucumbers can be planted in Adelaide in the spring and summer. they like a good trellis to climb on and the tips can be pinched to encourage bushier growth. To reduce the chance of sunborn on those scorching days plant them along an east facing fence if you can. This will shelter them during the hottest part of the day. The other alternative is to plant a block of sweet corn and when the corn has taken off plant the cucumbers at their bases. This will give you free shade, free stakes and double crop! The stalks could also be used to support peas in the autumn and winter. Trust this helps.

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25 Feb 17, Nicola (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)

Hi, we have been gifted 3 cucumber plants. The day our friend brought them to us her chooks sat on them. They were then in her boot the entire day on a 40 degree day. I had them in a morning to mid afternoon sunny spot and they were starting to liven up. The tops started dying off, then they fell over on themselves and cracked the stems. So we moved them to there permanent spot in the evening and in the morning we woke up and the dogs had toppled the 2 over. I picked them up and put the soil back in but now the stems are saggy, broken and the tops are all dried and brown. Please can you help me with advice on how to save these poor plants? I feel so terrible as this is the second set of plants our friend has given us and they are dying again :'(

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26 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Sounds like you've had a traumatic time! Under the circumstances you would be better to sow some fresh seed. It will germinate in a few days. Once plants are battered past a certain point they take a while to recover, if at all. You will need 3-4 months to harvest. All the best.

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22 Feb 17, ebony (Australia - temperate climate)

thank you for your help

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05 Feb 17, (Australia - temperate climate)

How to tell when apple cucumbers are ready to pick

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06 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Most varieties of apple cucumber are ripe when the greenish tinge has gone and they are a clear white. When they are overripe they go yellowish and are often bitter. This would apply to most apple cucumbers but there are some more recent varieties available that are green when they are ripe and some that are a golden, almost brown colour. Trust this helps.

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02 Feb 17, Kiri baird (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Hi I have only had two cucumbers of my 3 plants is still early days?

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