Growing Cucumber

cucumis sativis : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

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

(Best months for growing Cucumber in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed

October: After risk of frost

  • 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

16 Sep 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
What is the difference between growing in hanging basket and on trellis. Probably grow any kind. Try apple cucumbers - a lot more taste.
17 Sep 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
A plant needs a preferred amount of soil (nutrient) to grow a reasonably decent crop. Without knowing what size pot you have I always question whether people use a big enough pot for what they want to grow. For myself I would not try to grow cucumbers in a pot smaller than 500-600mm diameter and 300mm deep.
11 Nov 19, Bhaidas Bhula (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sometimes the cucumber plant only has male flowers. Is this normal? and sometimes the female flower forms a cucumber and shrinks and falls off.Why is this?
11 Nov 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Most curcubits (cucumbers, courgettes etc) produce male flowers first. If the weather is cool, no female flowers appear for a while. If the immature cucumber falls off it has not been fertilised. If there are not many bees around, you can use a soft artist's brush or cotton bud, to transfer some pollen from the male stamens to the female flower.
28 Nov 19, Judy Chisholm (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Why do my cucumber plants have some yellow leaves. I have given them general Fertilizer and also Worm team. Do I need to do anything more as I may have planted them a bit early. Also how do I tell the difference between a female and male flower.
28 Nov 19, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
The yellow leaves might be due to too much fertilizer. Try just using one type. They should grow if you are giving them enough water and protecting from very cold nights. The female flowers have a tiny, cucumber shape just behind the flower.
29 Nov 19, anon (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Depends how old the plants are, if 8-10+ weeks then leaves yellowing off would only be natural.
02 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If you put a lot of N on, the leaves would be dark green. If too little N then the leaves would be light green yellow. If too much N then it would burn and kill the plant. Worm tea is only a soil enhancer, gets the bugs etc going. It could be a deficiency of some trace elements in the soil.
04 Dec 19, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If your soil is sandy and you do a lot of watering, then you would leach out the nutrients. Have to apply more fert.
18 Dec 19, Natalie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
First time planting and i put tomato next to it. What can i expect?
Showing 11 - 20 of 25 comments

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.

- Peter Cyr

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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. GardenGrow 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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