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When to Plant Cucumber in Preston 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.

Preston County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 2,324 feet, Preston County receives approximately 45.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Preston County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Preston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 557 gal / 100 sq ft
Cucumber needs ~870 GDD — county provides 2,465 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline โ€” Preston County, WV

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors May 14 May 14 โ€“ May 28
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 3

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

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 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Preston 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 Preston County, WV?

Preston County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Preston County, WV?

Preston County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Preston County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Preston County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.