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When to plant Cucumber in Johnson County County,

In Zone 8a (Johnson County County), direct-sow Cucumber between April 2 and April 23 for spring, after the March 26 last-frost mark.

When to Plant Cucumber in Johnson County, AR

Johnson County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

June in the garden — Johnson County, Arkansas

Welcome to June in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 3
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Start harvesting cucumber

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • First harvests: cucumber

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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.

Johnson County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 1,347 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Johnson County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3
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Johnson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Cucumber Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 Johnson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.0) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Johnson County is excellent for Cucumber — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

5
successive plantings in your 222-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

Cucumber Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,106 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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Johnson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 4,051 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Johnson County, AR

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Jul 30

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 48" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

222 days in Johnson County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Johnson County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after March 26 in Johnson 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 Johnson County, AR?

Johnson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, AR?

Johnson County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

When should I plant Cucumber in Johnson County, ?

In Johnson County, , plant Cucumber after the last frost (around March 26) and before the first frost (around November 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Johnson County, for Cucumber?

Johnson County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Cucumber grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cucumber grow in Johnson County's climate?

Yes — Cucumber grows well in Johnson County's temperate climate. Johnson County averages a 222-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 26 and first frost around November 3.

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Your Johnson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Johnson County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Johnson County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.