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When to Plant Cucumber in Wayne County, MO

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.

Wayne County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,103 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Wayne County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26

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.

Soil Compatibility in Wayne County

How your county's soil matches Cucumber's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“7.0) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Wayne County is excellent for Cucumber โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cucumber.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

0.5"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
48"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Cucumber

4
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 578 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~870 GDD — county provides 3,030 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, MO

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Wayne County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Wayne County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after April 06 in Wayne County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cucumber in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Wayne County, MO?

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

What planting zone is Wayne County, MO?

Wayne County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Wayne County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.