How to grow cucumbers in a raised bed

Cucumbers are vigorous climbers that reward a bit of vertical space — train them up a trellis and you'll get straighter fruit, better airflow and an easy picking height.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 40–50 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks
• Support: a trellis — they love to climb

When to plant: Cucumbers are frost-tender — plant from spring into summer once it's warm. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Sow into warm, rich mix and train the vines up a trellis as they grow. Climbing keeps the fruit clean and the leaves dry, which cuts down on mildew.

Watering and feeding: Water deeply and consistently — thirsty, uneven cucumbers turn bitter. Keep water off the leaves and water in the morning. Feed once flowering starts.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids, whiteflies, the 28-spotted ladybird and two-spotted mite. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are powdery mildew, downy mildew and mosaic virus. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Beans, peas and dill are good companions; keep cucumbers away from potatoes. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick young and often — the more you pick, the more the vine produces. Oversized cucumbers turn bitter and slow the plant down.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: V5hnuvp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.