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When to Plant Cucumber in Buckingham County, VA

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.

Buckingham County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 565 feet, Buckingham County receives approximately 52.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Buckingham County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Buckingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 805 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cucumber needs ~960 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Buckingham County, VA

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 16

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

197 days

Growing Tips for Buckingham 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 Buckingham County, VA?

Buckingham County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buckingham County, VA?

Buckingham County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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