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When to Plant Cucumber in Brown County, KS

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.

Brown County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 485 feet, Brown County receives approximately 29.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cucumber to ensure they mature before fall.

Brown County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Brown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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
0.7″/week
You supply
1.5″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,242 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cucumber needs ~780 GDD — county provides 2,223 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Brown County, KS

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 21
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for Brown 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 Brown County, KS?

Brown County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brown County, KS?

Brown County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brown County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Brown County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.