When to plant cucumbers in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Cucumber needs 50–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant cucumbers in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 12 – Mar 29, with seeds started indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Apr 9 · Apr 30 · May 21 · Jun 11 · Jul 2 · Jul 23 · Aug 13 · Sep 3
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 Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 5 – Feb 19). 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 (Mar 12 – Mar 29). 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 May 8 – May 28). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full cucumber growing guide.
Cucumber planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 29 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 13 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 8 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant cucumbers in Louisiana?
Plant cucumber transplants outdoors in Louisiana between March 12 and March 29. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start cucumber seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between February 5 and February 19, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 12.
Can I plant cucumbers in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 13 and August 30, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will cucumbers planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cucumbers are usually ready from about May 8 to May 28, 50-70 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.