FrostCal

When to Plant Cucumbers in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10, then sow outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

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
CharlotteMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 13Apr 6 – Apr 13
RaleighFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreensboroMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 15Apr 8 – Apr 15
DurhamMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 16Apr 9 – Apr 16
Winston-SalemFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 9Apr 2 – Apr 9
FayettevilleMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 13Apr 6 – Apr 13
CaryFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11Apr 4 – Apr 11
WilmingtonFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 2Mar 26 – Apr 2
High PointMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 13Apr 6 – Apr 13
AshevilleMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 20Apr 13 – Apr 20
GreenvilleFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 10Apr 3 – Apr 10
ConcordMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 15Apr 8 – Apr 15
GastoniaFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 10Apr 3 – Apr 10
JacksonvilleMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14Apr 7 – Apr 14
Chapel HillMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14Apr 7 – Apr 14
Rocky MountMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14Apr 7 – Apr 14
HuntersvilleMar 2 – Mar 9Apr 6 – Apr 13Apr 6 – Apr 13
BurlingtonMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 12Apr 5 – Apr 12
WilsonFeb 22 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 5Mar 29 – Apr 5
KannapolisMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 15Apr 8 – Apr 15
ApexFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 10Apr 3 – Apr 10
HickoryMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14Apr 7 – Apr 14
Wake ForestMar 7 – Mar 14Apr 11 – Apr 18Apr 11 – Apr 18
Indian TrailMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14Apr 7 – Apr 14
MooresvilleMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 23Apr 16 – Apr 23
GoldsboroFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 11Apr 4 – Apr 11
MonroeMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 17Apr 10 – Apr 17
SalisburyMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 20Apr 13 – Apr 20
Holly SpringsMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 20Apr 13 – Apr 20
MatthewsMar 3 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 14Apr 7 – Apr 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cucumbers in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 10, then sow outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 25 in Morehead City and as late as May 9 in Boone.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant cucumbers in other states

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