When to plant cucumbers in Walla Walla, WA

Plant cucumbers in the garden in Walla Walla May 1–29, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Apr 3–10.

Moderate Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Walla Walla's typical last spring frost is March 27. Frost kills cucumbers, and warm-season crops also need warm soil. Soil here stays cold for weeks after the last frost, so planting waits until about May 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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

Start seeds indoors Apr 3–10 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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden May 1–29, 12 inches apart on a trellis. If you plant seeds instead, sow them 1 inch deep.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
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 Walla Walla, WA?

Typically March 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Walla Walla Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant cucumbers in Walla Walla?

The spring planting window runs through May 29. Later plantings may not have time to produce before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around October 31.

When should I start cucumbers from seed indoors in Walla Walla?

April 3 to April 10, which is 4 to 3 weeks before the May 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Walla Walla around the same time

Planting dates for cucumbers in nearby areas

Pendleton, OR May 1–29
The Dalles, OR May 1–29
Yakima, WA May 8 – Jun 5
Wenatchee, WA May 1–29
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA May 1–29
Moses Lake, WA May 1–29

Full planting calendar for Walla Walla · Cucumbers in every city