Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Cucumber in Australia - temperate regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

September: Bring on in pots

  • 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

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)
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.
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.
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!
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
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
11 Dec 09, Tiggerbow (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi john d, It is possbile that that is as big as the cucumber/zuchinni was going to get. It is best to pick these fruits when they are still rather small. I have heard that when a cucumber goes dark green and the little spike start to grow on them they are ready. With a zuchinni is is best to pick when they are around 15 cm or so for nice sweet fruit. Apparently with zuchinni you are supposed to be able to pierce it with your fingernail. Both of these fruit grow very fast so it is best to check them at least every day. We have had success growing these for the first time this year. Good luck and happy eating !! Jodie
18 Dec 09, (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone know if possums eat baby cucumbers? I have plants that have been flowering for 2 weeks or more, but I cannot see any sign of fruit maturing. (Melbourne Australia)
23 Dec 09, pete (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi katja sounds like you have sooty mould. how i get around this is to grow my cucumbers on a trellis. just a post at each end and string about 9 inches apart between the poles. clip the cucumber leaves to the string with a clothes peg. keep stringing until they reach a height of about 5ft. the air circulation reduces the amount of sooty mould.
01 Jan 10, Matthew (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My lebanese cucumber plant is growing beautifully and flowering well. However I seem to have only got two great cucumbers from it. The other cucumber leaves go yellow and die off. Is there anything I can do?
Showing 31 - 40 of 387 comments

My cukes were planted about a foot ( 30 cm ) away from my tomatoe plants this year.and my crop from both was unreal. The tomato plants acted as a trellis for the cukes. I could not keep up with the supply....

- Michael Ouellette

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