Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Cucumbers in Oregon

Cool, crisp, and perfect for salads and pickling. Cucumbers thrive in warm weather and produce abundantly.

The Short Answer

In Oregon, cucumbers planting dates vary by region. In Willamette Valley, your average last frost is around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Southern Oregon Coast sees its last frost around Mar 5 - Mar 25. Since cucumbers are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 weeks after frost danger has passed. Rich volcanic soils in Willamette Valley. Dry, alkaline soils east of Cascades. Acidic forest soils on coast. Generally...

Oregon Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Oregon you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Willamette Valley 8a, 8b Mar 25 - Apr 15 Oct 15 - Nov 10
Portland Metro 8b, 9a Mar 15 - Apr 5 Oct 25 - Nov 15
Central/Eastern Oregon 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b May 10 - Jun 1 Sep 10 - Oct 1
Southern Oregon Coast 8b, 9a, 9b Mar 5 - Mar 25 Nov 5 - Nov 25

Cucumbers Planting Schedule for Oregon

Willamette Valley (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 10

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Portland Metro (Zones 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 5 · Average first frost: Oct 25 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Central/Eastern Oregon (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: May 10 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Oct 1

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Southern Oregon Coast (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Mar 5 - Mar 25 · Average first frost: Nov 5 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Cucumbers in Oregon

Cucumbers in Oregon's Climate

Your long, hot season is excellent for cucumbers. Plant early (transplant in March-April) for a long harvest before late-summer pest pressure builds. A second planting in August for fall harvest is productive and often has less disease pressure than midsummer. In the Gulf states, downy mildew is the primary disease concern — choose resistant varieties.

Soil Considerations for Oregon

Rich volcanic soils in Willamette Valley. Dry, alkaline soils east of Cascades. Acidic forest soils on coast. Generally excellent for gardening in valleys. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting cucumbers outside.

Oregon Climate & Growing Season

Dramatic east-west climate divide. Wet, mild winters west of Cascades. Dry, cold winters east. Year-round gardening possible in mild western valleys. Cucumbers cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Oregon: Willamette Valley (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 15, while Southern Oregon Coast (8b, 9a, 9b) sees frost end around Mar 5 - Mar 25. This difference matters for cucumbers — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Trellis for straighter fruits and better air circulation. Pick regularly to encourage more production.

Companion Planting

Plant cucumbers alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Corn Peas Sunflowers

Keep cucumbers away from:

Potatoes Aromatic Herbs

The Bottom Line

Cucumbers can be grown successfully across Oregon, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Willamette Valley gardeners should plan around a Mar 25 - Apr 15 last frost, while those in Southern Oregon Coast can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Cucumbers Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Oregon Planting Calendar All plants for Oregon Cucumbers in Alabama Alabama planting dates Cucumbers in Alaska Alaska planting dates Cucumbers in Arizona Arizona planting dates Cucumbers in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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