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 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

27 Dec 21, Fiona (Australia - temperate climate)
Ours were very slow to start this year due to our unusually cool temperatures. But have now started to take off and produce fruit. We are southern fleurieu.
20 Nov 21, Nigel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I plant mine a bit earlier and found that they take a fair bit of time to take off. Plenty of water and a good fertilizer will move them along. I use Power Feed liquid fertilizer and get great results
19 Nov 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The first leaves that come out of the seed are called cotyledons. The next set of leaves are call the first set of true leaves, these can take a few days (6-10) to appear. You may need to look at do you have good rich soil, do you water regularly, do they receive plenty of sunlight.
25 Aug 21, Sandra (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
I planted cucumber seeds in a seed pot what size or when should I transplant them into the garden? I live in Pretoria.
07 Sep 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
4-6 true leaves.
23 Mar 21, B (USA - Zone 8b climate)
My cucumber are starting to vine and was wondering I’m in zone 8b it’s still cool here would they be alright
14 Mar 21, Kylee Slocum (USA - Zone 4b climate)
I want to grow cucumbers from seed in a 24” container. Can you help me with when I should start them. I am in 4b zone.
15 Mar 21, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Check the calendar planting guide on the cucumber page.
13 Mar 21, Peter Cyr (USA - Zone 8b climate)
I plan to plant them in a spot with a bag of composted chicken manure in Zone 8b. Any suggestions? Last year my cuke plants were glorious and were started from a packet of seeds. Unfortunately I did not get one cuke. Lots of flowers but I think they turned out to be all males.
02 Oct 22, Tera in El Paso (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Same problem here this year; beautiful leaves, taking over the area on my balcony....but all male flowers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know with tomatoes you have to get the temperature to drop low enough to get them to fruit, maybe same with cucumbers?
Showing 51 - 60 of 495 comments

I'd try starting a packet of fresh cucumber seed in a domed container (to keep in moisture to speed germination) and soak the seeds the night before... Then you should be able to choose the biggest seedlings to up pot for a week or so and get them hardened off. You could still plant out the other small seedlings as well and with that many seedlings you may get the amount of cukes you were short on with the loss of your damaged plants. We lost plants due to deer eating them and had to do this... The heat of the summer was a challenge with tender transplants but we still had cucumbers in the end. Not as big, but smaller cukes are good for salads and pickles. I'd throw a packet in some water and get them in a container with drain holes and some good soil... get them going... they are pretty fast. Hope this helps! Best of luck!

- Mindi

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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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