Rainline Garden

When to plant cucumbers in Burns, OR

Plant cucumbers in the garden in Burns Jun 11 – Jul 9, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors May 14–21.

Moderate Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Burns's typical last spring frost is June 11. Frost kills cucumbers, so planting starts once frost risk drops, around June 11. Keep row cover or a frost blanket handy for the first couple of weeks, since a late frost is still possible.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
12 inches apart on a trellis
Planting depth
1 inch deep
Frost
Killed by frost
First harvest
About 60 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors May 14–21 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden Jun 11 – Jul 9, 12 inches apart on a trellis. If you plant seeds instead, sow them 1 inch deep.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Harvest: Pick slicers at 6 to 8 inches, before they yellow. Check plants every day or two in midsummer.

Varieties that do well here

  • Marketmore 76
  • Lemon
  • Diva

Watch out for

Powdery mildew in late summer. Grow them up a trellis for airflow and water at the base.

Need warm soil and warm nights. Floating row cover helps in cool springs.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Burns, OR?

Typically June 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Burns Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant cucumbers in Burns?

The spring planting window runs through July 9. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around September 6.

When should I start cucumbers from seed indoors in Burns?

May 14 to May 21, which is 4 to 3 weeks before the June 11 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Burns around the same time

Planting dates for cucumbers in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Burns · Cucumbers in every city