Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Cucumber in USA - Zone 7a 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

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23 Feb 22, Christine C (USA - Zone 7b climate)
My garden area isn't super big - how far away/close can my cucumber and tomato plants be?
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14 Jun 23, Cecil D. (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I grow in raised beds and have no problems w/ tomatoes in a bed next to the cukes. As long as you don't plant nearby in the same container or soil you should be perfectly fine.
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27 Feb 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Probably 3-4 meters.
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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
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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.
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15 Mar 21, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Check the calendar planting guide on the cucumber page.
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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.
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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?
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15 Mar 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Mix in well composted manure with some good friable soil - about 1 part manure to 3 parts soil. Too much manure and the soil will have too much nitrogen. The female flowers have little cucumbers behind the flower. You need bees to pollinate the flowers. Check between 7 and 11am to see if bees are active. You can hand pollinate, read how to do it.
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08 Mar 21, Bill Lott (USA - Zone 9a climate)
How close is too close, to not plant near my tomato plants Thank You
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Showing 11 - 20 of 43 comments
See comments for all plants

Switch to fertilisers labelled "flowers and fruit", fertilisers with a lower nitrogen content. Animal manures have a high Nitrogen content that is good for basic plant growth. For example, Dynamic Lifter which is pelletised cow manure has an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) ratio of 3.5 - 1 - 1.6 which is good for initial growth, but switch to another fertiliser when the plants are growing strongly.

- Gerrie

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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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