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When to Plant Cucumber in Delaware County, PA

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.

Delaware County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 1,094 feet, Delaware County receives approximately 38.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Delaware County, PA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Delaware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,118 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,199 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Delaware County, PA

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 20

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 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

191 days

Growing Tips for Delaware 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 Delaware County, PA?

Delaware County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Delaware County, PA?

Delaware County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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