Blog

When to Plant Cucumber in Marshall County, OK

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.

Marshall County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 520 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 23.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Marshall County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18

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 Marshall County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.8) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Cucumber is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

5
successive plantings in your 233-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
1.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,789 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Cucumber

Cucumber needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cucumber Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 6.5" 4" 2.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3" 3.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.4" 4.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.3" 5.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 0.9" 5.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Marshall County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cucumber Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cucumber needs ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,427 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, OK

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 2-3 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 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

233 days in Marshall County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Marshall County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after March 24 in Marshall 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.

Marshall County receives only 24" of rain annually. Cucumber needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cucumber in Marshall County, OK?

Marshall County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, OK?

Marshall County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marshall County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Marshall County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.