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When to Plant Cucumber in Bradford 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.

Bradford County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 272 days.

At an elevation of 297 feet, Bradford County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Cucumber may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Bradford County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
272 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
272 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Bradford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,781 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~1,410 GDD — county provides 6,392 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Bradford County, FL

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Direct Sow March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 22
Harvest May 3 May 3 โ€“ Jun 28

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 โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

272 days

Growing Tips for Bradford 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 Bradford County, FL?

Bradford County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bradford County, FL?

Bradford County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bradford County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Bradford County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.