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

23 Jan 09, Peter (Australia - temperate climate)
Suzanne I was always lead to believe that its because the fruit has been left on the vine too long. I might be wrong; I'd like to be corrected if so.
05 Feb 09, JOHN (Australia - temperate climate)
I had two cucumbers plants growing in pots both produced a good size cucumber with other smaller ones growing as the larger cucumbers started to ripen the leaves on both plants stated to dry out and turned pale I've lost one plant which produced one large cucumber tasted great the other is going down the same path the 1 cucumber also tasted great why did my plants die or are dieing ? thanks
06 Feb 09, dennis (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi! Jan, John and every cucumber grower. We all make mistakes and I'm no exception.Gee have i learn't. Jan if you look at the mix I suggested to Steve the same applies to your problem,possibly you also need to add lime if the ( ph) of your soil is below 6.8 you need 6.5 to 7 to grow good cucumbers follow this and you will have sweet cucumbers. John I would like to suggest you do the same as i suggested to Steve,also forget pots and grow in one or those green shopping bags they take 25Ltrs of potting mix and you can grow 2 cucumbers in this they also breath The mix needs to be kept damp not wet. also spray with white oil when they are young (natural) and stops most pests and fungus.all the best
01 Mar 09, eofferyed (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Our cucumbers have been on the vine sometime and have very pale skin and when cut are very mushy inside and have very few seeds. What's wrong?
09 Mar 09, jenny (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have three lovely healthy cucumber vines with lots of flowers but I never get any fruit, what should I do?
10 Mar 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jenny, Cucumbers have male flowers and female flowers. (females have a mini cucumber behind the flower. Sometimes the bees are too few to get the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers, so you can use a little paintbrush to take pollen from the male flowers over to the female flowers. If you don't yet have female flowers then wait a bit - the male flowers seem to come first. Applying a soluble complete fertilser with potassium seems to help bring on female flowers - or maybe this is coincidence.
16 May 09, Jeff (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We have successfully grown long cucumbers with over 2 doz picked in last month or so. But all of a sudden, we have these small black crawling insects attacking our bushes which are growing on a trelis. Any thoughts please
17 May 09, Amanda S (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
An organic farmer handed me an old cucumber of his and said I could use it to grow my own. Being completely new to this I just dug a small hole and buried it. Should I have taken out the seeds and dried them or do you think this will work?
27 Sep 09, Steph (Australia - temperate climate)
I've had cucumber seedliings that germinated with quite abstract looking seed leaves, though further growth was slow but normal in appearance. I'm wondering whether cucumbers dislike fertiliser in the soil at germination. I've been told beans dislike it at germination as well. Does anyone know about this or can offer any advice?
02 Oct 09, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
Why do my cucumber plants keep dying as seedlings. I'm lucky to keep one alive this year where as last year i couldn't give enough cucumbers away. They just seem to wilt and shrivel up. Any suggestions?
Showing 21 - 30 of 493 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Cucumber

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.