Quick planting window
| Start indoors | February to March |
|---|---|
| Transplant | March to April |
| Sow seeds | March to April |
| Estimated harvest | May to June |
| Risk | Medium risk |
Month calendar
Scan the year by month to see seed starting, sowing, transplanting, and harvest timing.
Cucumber is frost sensitive. Wait until the conservative transplant or sowing window for California.
Next: ZIP code personalization
This is a state-level planning window based on typical frost timing and crop rules. Use local Extension guidance or a ZIP code frost-date tool before planting.
Planning notes
Days to maturity
58
Covered states
20
Maturity range
28-240 days
Crop overview pages compare state windows; open a specific state page to see that state's frost dates, heat risk, and Extension source.
Cucumber growing notes
The calendar window is only the first step. These growing details affect survival, plant vigor, and harvest quality.
Sun
Full sun.
Soil
Warm, fertile, well-drained soil.
Spacing
12 inches on a trellis or 36 inches for sprawling vines.
Container
Choose bush types in 5+ gallon containers with a trellis.
Watering
Keep evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
Common mistake
Planting into cold soil or disturbing roots during transplant.
Beginner tip
Sow outdoors once nights are warm, or transplant very gently.
Month window table
| State | Spring transplant / sow | Spring harvest | Fall transplant / sow | Fall harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| New York | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Texas | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| Washington | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| New Jersey | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Florida | February to March | April to May | September to October | November to December |
| North Carolina | April to May | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| Georgia | April to May | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| Illinois | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Ohio | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Pennsylvania | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Michigan | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Arizona | March to April | May to June | August to September | October to November |
| Oregon | May to June | July | July to August | September to October |
| Massachusetts | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Minnesota | May to June | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Virginia | April to May | June to July | August to September | September to October |
| Colorado | June to July | July to August | July to August | September to October |
| Tennessee | April to May | June to July | August to September | October to November |
| Missouri | April to May | June to July | July to August | September to October |
Sources and limits
This crop overview summarizes typical frost windows and crop rules across 20 states. Because it is not tied to one state, the links below point to representative state Extension sources; state and crop-state pages show the matching state source.
Note: this overview shows a sample of sources; each state page exposes its own Extension reference.
FAQ
When should I start cucumber indoors?
Cucumber is commonly started indoors about 3 weeks before the last frost date. The exact month changes by state.
Can I sow cucumber outdoors?
Cucumber can be sown outdoors when soil and nights are suitable. In California, the spring estimate is about March to April.
When should I transplant cucumber?
Cucumber is commonly transplanted about 2 weeks after the last frost date, after seedlings are hardened off.
How long does cucumber take to harvest?
Cucumber is listed at about 58 days to maturity. Cool weather, weak light, or stress can extend that timeline.
Is cucumber container friendly?
Yes. Choose bush types in 5+ gallon containers with a trellis.
What is the most common cucumber mistake?
Planting into cold soil or disturbing roots during transplant.
Is cucumber better in spring or fall?
Spring is usually safer; fall planting needs enough warm days before first frost.
Is this ZIP-code accurate?
No. V1 uses conservative state-level windows and reserves ZIP-code frost dates, USDA zone matching, and reminders for the next phase.