Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S              
        T T T          
        P P            

(Best months for growing Cucumber in USA - Zone 5a 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 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 16 - 24 inches 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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11 May 11, Minoli (Australia - temperate climate)
Sorry to hear this....cucumber has to be planted in January if you are around Sydney.... it needs lots of sun light and water... potty mix is sufficient if its a good soil.... buy plants and not seeds.... then it grows faster.....and gives a good crop...re. egg plant ...see my comment.
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12 May 11, Jess (Australia - temperate climate)
Yeah, I started In October with seedlings, and have tried again in Mid January with seeds. I know we're out of season now though. There must be something missing from this equation! :-)
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05 Apr 11, Tom Summers (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted lebanese cucumbers(or so it said on the packet) the plants have grown well and are healthy and have lots of flowers but as yet no fruit. I read that Lcs did not require pollination. Any thoughts tips or advice, regards Tom Summers ( Brisbane)
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20 Apr 11, Brooke (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've found with young plants they often produce flowers whithout the fruit when they first start flowering but then do eventually start to fruit as well.
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20 Apr 11, Brooke (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've found with young plants they often produce flowers whithout the fruit when they first start flowering but then do eventually start to fruit as well.
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09 Mar 11, Sam Moloney (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've just planted some cucumber seeds into my brand new veggie patch and they sprouted within a few days. The seedlings are growing really well but I've got 2 - 3 big "clumps" of 4 - 5 seedlings each. Obviously I have to thin them out but I'm not 100% sure when I should do this? The seedlings are about 10cm tall already (after 10 days!)..
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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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Showing 411 - 420 of 498 comments
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My cucumbers have been weird this year. They are similar to John D's - they have grown in the shape of a butternut pumpkin from early on and they are now about 30 cm and yellow/brown. They have good sunlight, were watered regularly, in mushroom compost. They did not at any stage go dark green, just from light green to yellow. They probably weigh about 2 kilo's each. I have not cut one open yet - i think the whole crop may be headed to the chickens... any ideas to avoid the same next year would be appreciated.

- Ben R

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