How to grow cucumber in the garden or pots

How to grow cucumber in a garden

Choose a sunny spot in the garden and enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed.
Sow 4-5 seeds into mounds of moist soil spaced 40cm apart and water well.
As seedlings grow, thin seedlings and leave only the two strongest. Mulch around the base of the plant with organic mulch like pea or lucerne straw to retain moisture.
Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
To save space, train cucumber vines to grow on a fence or trellis – tie young stems to a wire support and eventually, the tendrils will cling to the wire.
Pick fruit regularly to prolong harvest.

How to grow cucumber in a pot

Cucumbers grow best in the garden, but can still grow well in pots. They like to spread, so if you’re short on space, it’s best to train vines to grow up on a trellis.

Choose a pot or trough at least 400mm wide and deep. Position in full sun and protect from strong winds.
Fill pot with quality potting mix, such Yates Premium Potting Mix. Sow 4-5 seeds, cover lightly and water well.
Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate.
As seedlings grow, thin seedlings and leave only the two strongest. Position a trellis behind the pot or a tripod frame in the middle and tie young stems to the support. Eventually, the tendrils will cling to the wire.
Pick fruit regularly to prolong harvest.

Yates Varieties

Apple Cucumber

This High-yielding traditional favourite cucumber produces prolific crops of crisp, creamy-skinned fruit.

Cucumber 'Burpless' Hybrid

Crisp and refreshing, with remarkably thin skin and a subtle sweet flavour. Low in the cucurbitacin compound that causes 'cucumber burps'.

Cucumber 'Continental'

This traditional telegraph type grows slender, extra-long and delicious flavoured cucumbers. Great for slicing to add crunchy texture.

Cucumber 'Long Green'

Long Green has that old-fashioned, delicate, refreshing cucumber flavour. Produces large, straight emerald green fruit that are ideal for slicing or pickling.

Cucumber Lebanese (Organic)

This popular variety produces heavy crops of sweet-flavoured cucumbers that are mild and low in acid. Eat skin and all.

Growing tips

Keep moist always, as drying out may cause bitterness in cucumbers.
Failure to set fruit is often due to cold weather or the absence of pollinators, such as bees. You can hand pollinate to help – simply pick a male flower (the smaller yellow flower without fruit forming at the base) and touch it lightly onto the centre stem of the female flower.