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When to Plant Cucumber in Hamilton County, TN

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.

Hamilton County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 3,918 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Hamilton County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 989 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~1,185 GDD — county provides 4,305 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Hamilton County, TN

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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

218 days

Growing Tips for Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, TN?

Hamilton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, TN?

Hamilton County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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