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When to Plant Cucumber in Webster County, WV

Webster County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

Your May planting checklist for Webster County, West Virginia

Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 27
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Get cucumber in the ground

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Plant cucumber from seed, right in the garden

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

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.

Webster County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 2,569 feet, Webster County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°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.

Webster County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18

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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Cucumber prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Cucumber.

How to Plant Cucumber

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

Succession Planting Cucumber

4
successive plantings in your 175-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 10 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 310 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 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 6.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 5.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Webster 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,062 GDD Excellent fit

Cucumber Planting Timeline — Webster County, WV

Cucumber Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 – May 25
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 – Aug 31

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

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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Cucumber in Webster County

Direct sow Cucumber outdoors after April 27 in Webster 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 Webster County, WV?

Webster County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Cucumber planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, WV?

Webster County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 19.

🌱

Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster 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 Webster 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.