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When to Plant Cucumber in Gwinnett County, GA

Gwinnett County, Georgia Zone 8a April

Your April game plan for Gwinnett County, Georgia

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Gwinnett County, Georgia this April and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 13
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 12.9 hrs
  1. Plant out cucumber

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Sow cucumber in trays indoors

    These need a head start before your last frost (March 22). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

A few tasks this April that'll pay off in May
  • 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.

Gwinnett County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 127 feet, Gwinnett County receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cucumber, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Gwinnett County, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Gwinnett County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 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 Gwinnett County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.6) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). 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 236-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 04 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,061 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 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 6" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 5.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Gwinnett 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 ~960 GDD — county provides 3,776 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Gwinnett County, GA

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest May 31 May 31 – Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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

236 days in Gwinnett County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Gwinnett County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after March 22 in Gwinnett County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Gwinnett County's clay soil (32% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cucumber. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Gwinnett County, GA?

Gwinnett County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gwinnett County, GA?

Gwinnett County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 13.

🌱

Your Gwinnett County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Gwinnett 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 Gwinnett County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

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