When to Plant Cucumber in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow August to February. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Cucumber guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Cucumber

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Cucumbers are warm-season cucurbits that produce prolifically in Australian summers. Three main types are grown: Lebanese (short, smooth, seedless), Continental (long, thin-skinned) and pickling/gherkin varieties. Monoecious plants with separate male and female flowers on the same vine. Cross-pollinate readily with other cucumber varieties but NOT with melons, pumpkins or zucchini.

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D T/D - - - - - S S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 18–35°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Cucumber in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Two windows: September-October and February-March. Avoid midsummer extreme heat above 40C which causes bitter fruit.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with generous compost and well-rotted manure. Cucumbers are heavy feeders and need fertile, moisture-retentive soil.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun (minimum 6 hours). In hot climates (tropics, arid), light afternoon shade reduces heat stress.
Spacing
50cm apart, 120cm between rows
Watering
Heavy water demands. Deep, consistent watering at base is critical. Irregular watering causes bitter, misshapen fruit. Drip irrigation ideal. Water in morning to allow foliage to dry (reduces mildew).

Companion plants: Corn, Beans, Peas, Sunflower, Radish, Dill

Avoid planting near: Potato, Aromatic herbs (sage, mint), Melon (same family rotation issues)

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Cucumber

Recommended Varieties

  • Lebanese
  • Burpless
  • Crystal Apple

Key Challenges

  • Extreme heat causing bitter fruit
  • Two-spotted mite in hot dry conditions
  • Very high water demand

Pro Tips

  • 30-50% shade cloth is essential in summer
  • Drip irrigation on timer. Cucumbers need consistent water
  • Bitter fruit is caused by heat stress and irregular watering

Harvesting Cucumber

When ready: Lebanese: 12-15cm, firm, dark green. Continental: 30-40cm, firm. Gherkins: 5-8cm for pickling. All types: harvest BEFORE seeds inside become large and hard. Overripe cucumbers are seedy, bitter and watery.

How to harvest: Cut with scissors or secateurs leaving short stem. Do not pull (damages vine). Harvest early morning when fruit is cool and firm.

Common Cucumber Pests in Arid / Semi-Arid Zones

Powdery Mildew, risk: LOW (score: 31/100)

Organic prevention: Row covers over young plants until flowering starts. Crop rotation. Remove cucurbit crop debris promptly after harvest.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What cucumber costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Lemongrass and Beetroot.

The pest most likely to find your cucumber: Botrytis / Grey Mould.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $10.06/kg (12-month range: $4.79–$15.80)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Cucumber

When do you plant cucumber in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does cucumber grow all year round in Alice Springs?

No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.