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When to Plant Cucumber in Bond County, IL

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.

Bond County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 587 feet, Bond County receives approximately 34.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Bond County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Bond County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1

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 2,417 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cucumber needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Bond County, IL

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Bond 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 Bond County, IL?

Bond County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bond County, IL?

Bond County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bond County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Bond County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.