Cucumber Seeds — Cucumis sativus

Crisp Cucumbers for Summer Picking

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a vigorous grower and prolific fruiter, producing refreshing green cucumbers to slice into salads, tuck into sandwiches, or enjoy straight from the garden.

Give these climbing annual plants a warm, sheltered spot and a sturdy support to help carry their vigorous vines and developing fruit. Picking regularly while the cucumbers are young and tender helps keep the harvest coming.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🥒 Prolific fruiter — plenty of fresh cucumbers for summer salads and sandwiches
• 🌿 Vigorous climbing growth — benefits from a sturdy trellis or support
• ☀️ Warm-season vegetable — enjoys sunshine and shelter
• ✂️ Regular harvests — pick fruit young rather than leaving it to become oversized
• 🪴 Container option — use a large pot with sturdy support and consistent watering
• 🌱 Grow from seed — a satisfying addition to the summer vege patch

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow under cover in spring with warmth, or directly outside in late spring to early summer once frosts have passed and the soil is warm. Cucumbers are frost tender and dislike cold, wet soil, so wait until nights are reliably mild before planting out.

Sow approximately 1–2 cm deep in individual pots of seed-raising mix. Keep moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually takes around 5–10 days at approximately 20–25°C; cooler conditions can delay emergence or cause seeds to rot.

Harden off seedlings gradually and transplant while young, keeping roots as undisturbed as possible. Choose full sun, shelter from strong winds, and fertile, free-draining soil enriched with compost. Space approximately 45–60 cm apart when growing vertically, allowing more room if vines will trail across the ground.

Install a sturdy trellis or other support at planting and guide stems gently as they grow. Water consistently at soil level, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Mulch to help retain moisture, keeping mulch clear of the stem, and feed as needed with a suitable vegetable fertiliser.

Allow pollinating insects access to outdoor flowers. Harvest with scissors or secateurs while fruit is firm and tender, checking plants frequently so cucumbers do not become oversized. Avoid pulling fruit from the vines, which can damage the stems.

What’s in the Packet

Each packet contains 20 Cucumber seeds (Cucumis sativus).

📄 Want to go even deeper? The CHBotanics Propagation from Seeds Manual — Professional Edition — a comprehensive digital PDF covering sowing times, germination, spacing, and much more across dozens of flower and vegetable species, is available as an instant download. 🌱😊