How to grow Cucumber in Australia
Grow cucumbers in full sun in rich, free-draining soil, and wait for warmth before planting. They are thirsty, so water deeply and consistently to avoid bitter, misshapen fruit, keeping water off the leaves.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 10 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 50 cm
- Time to harvest: 60 days
- Time to germinate: 7 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | Coastal follows SEQ. Inland, wait out the last frost risk and sow from September. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to February | Start indoors late winter for spring planting; direct sow Oct+ when soil warms to 18°C. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Sow direct or transplant Oct to Dec once soil warm. Frost-sensitive; no winter sow. Shorter season than SEQ. |
| Adelaide & SA | September to January | Sow Sep undercover, Oct to Dec direct. A Jan sowing gives an autumn crop. Afternoon shade and steady water through heatwaves. |
| Perth & WA | August to October | Mediterranean: Aug to Oct sowing only. Cucumber fails in extreme Jan to Feb heat; needs moderate warmth, not extreme. |
| Tasmania | October to December | Sow Oct to Dec, or start indoors Sep to Oct. Short season - a greenhouse or warm wall makes a big difference. |
| Canberra & ACT | November and December | Sow direct Nov to Dec after the last frost in early November. Frost kills; harvest before the April frosts. |
| North Queensland | March to August | Dry season Mar to Aug. Wet season humidity wrecks cucurbits with mildew; a winter crop here, not a summer one. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to August | Dry season only Apr to Aug. Cucurbits collapse with fungal disease in wet season humidity. Darwin harvest peaks Sep. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick when fruit is firm, even green and full sized for the variety, before it yellows or fattens. Cut the stalk with secateurs and regular picking keeps fruit coming.
Storage
Fridge, up to 1 week. Do not freeze.