When to plant cucumbers in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Cucumber needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant cucumbers in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 10 – Apr 27, with seeds started indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Arkansas: May 8 · May 29 · Jun 19 · Jul 10 · Jul 31 · Aug 21
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow cucumbers in Arkansas, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 6 – Mar 20). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 3-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 10 – Apr 27). Space plants about 12 inches apart in rows 48 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. It needs plenty of water; keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: striped cucumber beetle, squash bug, aphids, spider mite. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt, angular leaf spot.
- Harvest (from about Jun 6 – Jun 26). Cucumber takes 50-70 days to reach harvest. Resents root disturbance - if starting indoors use peat/paper pots. Trellising doubles the plants per square foot and cuts disease. A second sowing in midsummer beats early beetle pressure.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full cucumber growing guide.
Cucumber planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the cucumber dates shift with them.
When to plant cucumbers in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant cucumbers in Arkansas?
Plant cucumber transplants outdoors in Arkansas between April 10 and April 27. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
When should I start cucumber seeds indoors in Arkansas?
Start seeds indoors between March 6 and March 20, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 10.
Can I plant cucumbers in the fall in Arkansas?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 30 and August 16, so the crop matures in cool weather before Arkansas's first frost around November 1.
When will cucumbers planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cucumbers are usually ready from about June 6 to June 26, 50-70 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.