How to grow cucumbers

Cucumbers grow fast once the soil is warm. Give them room to sprawl or a trellis to climb.

Reviewed October 2026

Start indoors

3–4 weeks before planting out

Plant outside

1–2 weeks after last frost

Seed depth

1/2–3/4 in

Days to harvest

50–65

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When to plant

Cucumbers are frost-tender. Start them indoors 3 to 4 weeks before you plan to set them out, and transplant 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost. You can also sow seed straight into the garden once the soil has warmed. Check your dates in the planting planner.

Sowing and spacing

Sow seed 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep. Space plants about 12 inches apart, in rows about 60 inches apart if they sprawl on the ground. A trellis saves space and keeps fruit clean and straight.

Pollination

Cucumbers need bees to carry pollen between flowers. Avoid spraying insecticides when plants are flowering, and plant flowers nearby to bring bees in.

Harvest

Most varieties are ready 50 to 65 days from planting. Pick often while fruit is young and firm. Fruit left too long turns bitter and slows the plant down.

Planting dates in Florida