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When to Plant Cucumber in Carroll County, OH

Carroll County, Ohio Zone 6b May

May in the garden — Carroll County, Ohio

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Carroll County, Ohio this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Set out cucumber seedlings

    Your last frost (April 30) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: cucumber

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Carroll County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 1,145 feet, Carroll County receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season.

Carroll County, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Carroll County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 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.

Soil Compatibility in Carroll County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.9) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) — Cucumber will thrive.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

3
successive plantings in your 168-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.

Plant 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 934 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Carroll 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 ~825 GDD — county provides 2,310 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Carroll County, OH

Cucumber Planting Calendar

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

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 Harvest
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 6b

📆 Growing Season

168 days in Carroll County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Carroll County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after April 30 in Carroll 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 Carroll County, OH?

Carroll County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carroll County, OH?

Carroll County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Carroll County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Carroll 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Carroll County, OH. 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.