When to plant cucumbers in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Cucumber needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant cucumbers in Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 19 – Mar 8, with seeds started indoors Jan 15 – Jan 29. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Florida: Mar 19 · Apr 9 · Apr 30 · May 21 · Jun 11 · Jul 2 · Jul 23 · Aug 13
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 Florida, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 15 – Jan 29). 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 (Feb 19 – Mar 8). 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 Apr 17 – May 7). 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 Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full cucumber growing guide.
Cucumber planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant cucumbers in Florida?
Plant cucumber transplants outdoors in Florida between February 19 and March 8. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start cucumber seeds indoors in Florida?
Start seeds indoors between January 15 and January 29, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 19.
Can I plant cucumbers in the fall in Florida?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between September 7 and September 24, so the crop matures in cool weather before Florida's first frost around December 10.
When will cucumbers planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cucumbers are usually ready from about April 17 to May 7, 50-70 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.