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When to Plant Cucumber in Bay County, FL

Cucumbers are a warm-season vine crop available in slicing and pickling varieties. They are prolific producers when given warmth, moisture, and a trellis to climb.

Bay County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 260 days.

At an elevation of 388 feet, Bay County receives approximately 50.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cucumber will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Bay County, FL (Zone 8b) Long season
260 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
260 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Bay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.2-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,167 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cucumber needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 4,550 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Bay County, FL

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jul 9

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 24" apart ยท Rows 48" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

260 days

Growing Tips for Bay County

Direct sow after last frost or start indoors 3 weeks early. Provide a trellis for vining types to save space and improve air circulation. Harvest frequently to encourage production.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes
  • Sage

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cucumber in Bay County, FL?

Bay County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bay County, FL?

Bay County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bay County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bay County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.