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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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
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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! : )
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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.
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11 Oct 09, Liam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What time is the best time to buy cucumbers?
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Showing 461 - 470 of 500 comments
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The rules of companion planting indicate that cucumbers and tomatoes/potatoes should not be planted in close proximity to one another. Let's consider what companion planting is all about first. 1. Companion planting is about creating a diversity in the garden that reduces the chances of PESTs/disease wiping out your garden. So in CP you don't plant things that are prone to the same diseases or attract the same pests close together. In the case of cukes and tomatoes it is: fusarium wilt and powdery mildew. (there could be more things...but this is enough that you have violated one of CP rules). 2. CP is about nutrition in the soil -- that is, you would not plant two things in close proximity that both require heavy amount of any particular mineral/vitamin. So for example if both plants are heavy feeders of potassium -- clearly they would compete too heavily for this resource most likely all plants would not get enough potassium. Cucumbers are heavy feeders and require lots of nitrogen and potassium. Pale, yellowish leaves indicate nitrogen deficiency. Leaf bronzing is a sign of potassium deficiency. Potatoes LOVE potassium, and low levels of potassium cause hollow heart (the middle of the potatoes looks like it is rotting), further the potato plant needs ALL it's potassium at the early stages (BEFORE setting tubers). Potatoes are also HEAVY feeders. Tomatoes are HEAVY feeders. So CP says not to plant heavy feeders next to each other... they compete to much for nutrition. Ok, so now you know why CP says not to plant these plants next to each other. The question then becomes.... but CAN I still do it knowing about the wilt and mildew and potassium and general heavy feeding of all the plants.... SURE, BUT be sure to add lots of nutrition to the soil (compost/manure) add lots of potassium (before planting mainly) and be sure to top up the nutrition during the growing phases... so maybe add manure/compost before planting, mid season and again when fruit starts setting. Also all these plants LOVE water... and lots of it, and this to me, makes it convenient when watering, to have my water lovers all in one spot... that way I can just dump a 5 gallon bucket of water int he middle of them. Also, careful how you trellis the cucumber, you don't want to create a roof over the tomatoes/potatoes that will hold moisture and encourage the mildews.

- Celeste Archer

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