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When to Plant Cucumber in Hood River County, OR

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.

Hood River County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 127 feet, Hood River County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Hood River County, OR (Zone 7a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Hood River County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 611 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,867 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Hood River County, OR

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 18

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

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 7a

Growing Season

188 days

Growing Tips for Hood River 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 Hood River County, OR?

Hood River County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hood River County, OR?

Hood River County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hood River County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Hood River County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.