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When to Plant Cucumber in Lee County, TX

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.

Lee County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost is November 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 275 days.

At an elevation of 1,174 feet, Lee County receives approximately 59.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Cucumber may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cucumber, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Lee County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
275 days
Last Spring Frost February 28
275 growing days
First Fall Frost November 30

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 28

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 Lee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.1โ€“8.2) is more alkaline than Cucumber prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Lee County is workable for Cucumber. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

6
successive plantings in your 275-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 21 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,475 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~1,365 GDD — county provides 6,279 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Lee County, TX

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 31 Jan 31 โ€“ Feb 14
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 28
Harvest May 9 May 9 โ€“ Jul 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
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 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

275 days in Lee County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Lee County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after February 28 in Lee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Lee County's clay soil (37% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cucumber. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97ยฐF in Lee County, provide afternoon shade for Cucumber and water deeply in the morning.

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.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cucumber in Lee County, TX?

Lee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 28. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, TX?

Lee County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 28 and first fall frost is November 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lee County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Lee County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.