Cucumbers should sown in a heated environment, and then grown on in pots to produce plants that can be transplanted to their final growing place when conditions allow.

Getting started: Sow into small pots or module trays filled with fine-textured compost.

Sowing date:

  • For growing undercover: late April to May.
  • For growing outdoors: late May to June.

 Sowing depth: 10mm.

Sowing temperature: Optimum is 25-27˚C, though anywhere from 21˚C – 32˚C will do.

Top tips:

  • Expose seedlings to strong light as soon as they emerge.
  • Never water seedlings in the late afternoon or evening since this will cause damping off.

The traditional advice of planting seed on its side is an old wives’ tale – don’t believe it.

For more information on growing cucumbers see “How to grow cucumbers”.