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SowingDates

When to plant cucumber

Vegetable, tender

Direct-sow from the last frost to about a week later. Seed will not sprout below 50°F (the stored minimum); CSU's germination minimum and ideal planting soil are 60°F, Iowa says plant at 60–70°F, and Wisconsin's minimum to plant is 65°F. A light frost kills the vines, and indoor starts should stay only 2–4 weeks before the last frost because young plants transplant poorly.

The general rule

Start indoors
2–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
0–1 week after the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
65°F
Days to maturity
50–70 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Cucumber planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsSow outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Dec 26 – Jan 9Jan 23 – Jan 30
Tucson, AZMar 2Feb 2 – Feb 16Mar 2 – Mar 9
Portland, ORMar 21Feb 21 – Mar 7Mar 21 – Mar 28
Baltimore, MDApr 4Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 4 – Apr 11
New York, NYApr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Apr 12 – Apr 19
Nashville, TNApr 16Mar 19 – Apr 2Apr 16 – Apr 23
Louisville, KYApr 23Mar 26 – Apr 9Apr 23 – Apr 30
Omaha, NEMay 6Apr 8 – Apr 22May 6 – May 13
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Apr 17 – May 1May 15 – May 22
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 65°F+).

Sources