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When to Plant Cucumber in Chesterfield 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.

Chesterfield County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 657 feet, Chesterfield County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Chesterfield County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Chesterfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 389 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Chesterfield County, VA

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Aug 12

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

206 days

Growing Tips for Chesterfield 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cucumber in Chesterfield County, VA?

Chesterfield County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chesterfield County, VA?

Chesterfield County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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