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When to Plant Cucumber in Ottawa County, OH

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.

Ottawa County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 1,264 feet, Ottawa County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Ottawa County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Ottawa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,281 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~960 GDD — county provides 2,928 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Ottawa County, OH

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 29

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 6a

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, OH?

Ottawa County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ottawa County, OH?

Ottawa County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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