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When to Plant Cucumber in Stanton County, KS

Stanton County, Kansas Zone 6b May

Your May gardening checklist

May is a pivotal month for Stanton County, Kansas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 26
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 62°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Move cucumber from tray to bed

    Frost risk is low now in Stanton County, Kansas. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.

  2. Plant cucumber from seed, right in the garden

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

  3. Start cucumber under lights

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

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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.

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 865 feet, Stanton County receives approximately 27.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Stanton County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14
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Stanton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 Stanton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.3) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Cucumber will thrive.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

4
successive plantings in your 171-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,519 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.8" 4.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Stanton 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 ~870 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Stanton County, KS

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 – May 24
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

171 days in Stanton County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Stanton County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after April 26 in Stanton 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 Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stanton County, KS?

Stanton County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 14.

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Your Stanton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Stanton County (Zone 6b). 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 Stanton County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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