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When to Plant Cucumber in Greenbrier County, WV

Greenbrier County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

This month in Greenbrier County, West Virginia

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

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Move cucumber from tray to bed

    Your last frost (May 3) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

  2. Seed cucumber outdoors

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

June prep starts now
  • 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.

Greenbrier County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 3,189 feet, Greenbrier County receives approximately 50.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Cucumber during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cucumber root diseases.

Greenbrier County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17
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Greenbrier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 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 Greenbrier County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.6) overlaps with Cucumber's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

3
successive plantings in your 167-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 331 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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Greenbrier 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 ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,047 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Greenbrier County, WV

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 – May 31
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 – Sep 6

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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

167 days in Greenbrier County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Greenbrier County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after May 03 in Greenbrier 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 Greenbrier County, WV?

Greenbrier County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenbrier County, WV?

Greenbrier County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 17.

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Your Greenbrier County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Greenbrier 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 Greenbrier County, WV. 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.