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When to Plant Cucumber in Doddridge County, WV

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.

Doddridge County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 1,474 feet, Doddridge County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Doddridge County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Doddridge 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 (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20

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 Doddridge County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“7.0) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Doddridge County is excellent for Cucumber โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

4
successive plantings in your 173-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 09 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 489 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cucumber

Cucumber needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cucumber Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.5" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 3.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Doddridge County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cucumber Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cucumber needs ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,157 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Doddridge County, WV

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 12 May 12 โ€“ May 26
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 1

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

173 days in Doddridge County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Doddridge County

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

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cucumber in Doddridge County, WV?

Doddridge County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Doddridge County, WV?

Doddridge County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Doddridge County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Doddridge County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.