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When to Plant Cucumber in Gray 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.

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 903 feet, Gray County receives approximately 30.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Gray County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Gray 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 (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,575 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cucumber needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,668 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Gray County, KS

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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

184 days

Growing Tips for Gray 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 Gray County, KS?

Gray County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, KS?

Gray County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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