When to Plant Cucumbers in Kentucky
In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 15 – Mar 22, then sow outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.
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
| City | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Lexington | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Lexington-Fayette | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Meads | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Bowling Green | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Owensboro | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Covington | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Richmond | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Georgetown | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 |
| Florence | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Hopkinsville | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 |
| Nicholasville | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 |
| Elizabethtown | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Henderson | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Frankfort | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 | Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Jeffersontown | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Independence | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Paducah | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Valley Station | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 |
| Radcliff | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Ashland | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Newburg | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Madisonville | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 |
| Murray | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 |
| Erlanger | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Winchester | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 27 – May 4 |
| Fern Creek | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Saint Matthews | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 |
| Okolona | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 |
| Danville | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant cucumbers in Kentucky?
In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 15 – Mar 22, then sow outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant cucumbers in other states