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When to Plant Cucumber in Phillips 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.

Phillips County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 929 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 32.1 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.

Phillips County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,187 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cucumber needs ~780 GDD — county provides 2,132 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Phillips County, KS

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 2

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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

164 days

Growing Tips for Phillips 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 Phillips County, KS?

Phillips County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, KS?

Phillips County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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