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When to Plant Cucumber in Rockingham County, NH

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.

Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 444 feet, Rockingham County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Cucumber to ensure they mature before fall.

Rockingham County, NH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Rockingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 454 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~735 GDD — county provides 2,131 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Rockingham County, NH

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 30

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 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

174 days

Growing Tips for Rockingham 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cucumber in Rockingham County, NH?

Rockingham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rockingham County, NH?

Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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