When to Plant Cucumber in Logan County, NE
Your May planting checklist for Logan County, Nebraska
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Logan County, Nebraska this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Set out cucumber seedlings
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
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Scatter cucumber into prepared beds
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: cucumber
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.
Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 854 feet, Logan County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cucumber to ensure they mature before fall.
Logan County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Logan County
How your county's soil matches Cucumber's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.2) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Logan County is excellent for Cucumber — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.
How to Plant Cucumber
Succession Planting Cucumber
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 6.5" | 3.4" | 3.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 6.5" | 2.1" | 4.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 6.5" | 2.6" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 6.5" | 3.7" | 2.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 6.5" | 2.5" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 6.5" | 2.6" | 3.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Logan 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 Planting Timeline — Logan County, NE
Cucumber Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 8 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 10 |
| Direct Sow | May 20 | May 20 – Jun 10 |
| Harvest | July 22 | Jul 22 – Sep 16 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 48" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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 5b
📆 Growing Season
142 days in Logan County
Growing Tips for Cucumber in Logan County
Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after May 13 in Logan 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Cucumber in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Cucumber in Logan County, NE?
Logan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Logan County, NE?
Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 2.
Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Logan County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.