FrostCal

When to Plant Cucumbers in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Dec 19 – Dec 26, then sow outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30, then transplant outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 5 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 3 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 50–65 days

Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.

Cucumbers Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseDec 5 – Dec 12Jan 9 – Jan 16Jan 9 – Jan 16
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoDec 17 – Dec 24Jan 21 – Jan 28Jan 21 – Jan 28
SacramentoDec 15 – Dec 22Jan 19 – Jan 26Jan 19 – Jan 26
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 7 – Feb 14Feb 7 – Feb 14
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideDec 12 – Dec 19Jan 16 – Jan 23Jan 16 – Jan 23
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 12 – Feb 19Feb 12 – Feb 19
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontDec 10 – Dec 17Jan 14 – Jan 21Jan 14 – Jan 21
San BernardinoDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 3 – Feb 10Feb 3 – Feb 10
FontanaDec 13 – Dec 20Jan 17 – Jan 24Jan 17 – Jan 24
ModestoJan 3 – Jan 10Feb 7 – Feb 14Feb 7 – Feb 14
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 30 – Jan 6Feb 3 – Feb 10Feb 3 – Feb 10
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleDec 5 – Dec 12Jan 9 – Jan 16Jan 9 – Jan 16
Santa ClaritaDec 11 – Dec 18Jan 15 – Jan 22Jan 15 – Jan 22
Santa RosaJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 11Mar 4 – Mar 11
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaDec 7 – Dec 14Jan 11 – Jan 18Jan 11 – Jan 18
OntarioDec 7 – Dec 14Jan 11 – Jan 18Jan 11 – Jan 18
Elk GroveJan 5 – Jan 12Feb 9 – Feb 16Feb 9 – Feb 16

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cucumbers in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Dec 19 – Dec 26, then sow outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30, then transplant outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 5 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 3 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cucumbers take to grow?

Cucumbers typically take 50–65 days from planting to harvest. Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.

Other Crops in California

When to plant cucumbers in other states

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