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When to Plant Cucumber in Mason County, WA

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.

Mason County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 230 feet, Mason County receives approximately 36.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Mason County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Mason County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,226 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,667 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Mason County, WA

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 22

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 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 8a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Mason 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 Mason County, WA?

Mason County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mason County, WA?

Mason County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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