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When to Plant Cucumber in Kleberg County, TX

Kleberg County, Texas Zone 9b May

This month in Kleberg County, Texas

Here's what deserves your attention in Kleberg County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost February 13
Avg. first frost December 9
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Bring in the cucumber

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • 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.

Kleberg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 299 days.

At an elevation of 1,079 feet, Kleberg County receives approximately 64.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Cucumber may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Kleberg County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
299 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
299 growing days
First Fall Frost December 9
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Kleberg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (195 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Jan 27 🍅 Harvest: Mar 24 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (180 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5

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 Kleberg County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Cucumber prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

7
successive plantings in your 299-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 30 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,917 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 6" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 6.5" 1.7" 4.8" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Kleberg 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 ~1,590 GDD — county provides 7,950 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Kleberg County, TX

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 – Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest April 17 Apr 17 – Jun 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

299 days in Kleberg County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Kleberg County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after February 13 in Kleberg County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Kleberg County, provide afternoon shade for Cucumber and water deeply in the morning.

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 Kleberg County, TX?

Kleberg County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kleberg County, TX?

Kleberg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 9.

🌱

Your Kleberg County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Kleberg County (Zone 9b). 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 Kleberg County, TX. 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.