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When to Plant Cucumber in Gulf 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.

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 313 feet, Gulf County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Gulf County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 25
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Gulf County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-5.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (160 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 11 Transplant: Feb 22 🍅 Harvest: Apr 19 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (150 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 21

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 2,875 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 5,263 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Gulf County, FL

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Harvest May 6 May 6 โ€“ Jul 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
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

276 days

Growing Tips for Gulf 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 Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 25. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gulf County, FL?

Gulf County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 25 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gulf 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 Gulf County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.