When to plant cucumbers in Sacramento, California
January 26 – February 9
Transplant outdoors · typical Sacramento yearClimate basis: NOAA station Sacramento 5 Ese, CA (USW00023271), 5 mi (7 km) from downtown Sacramento (ZCTA 95814 centroid), elevation 38 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant cucumbers outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (January 12). One year in ten still freezes after February 8.
The Sacramento year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to Feb 8
Every method, with its sources
Start seeds indoors
Dec 29 – Jan 5Sow in individual pots 3–4 weeks before the outdoor window opens (UNH 3–4 weeks; Missouri G6570 3–5 weeks, sown directly in pots). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Jan 12). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Missouri Extension
Transplant outdoors
Jan 26 – Feb 9UNH allows setting out 1–2 weeks after frost; Purdue's very-tender class (at least 2 weeks after) is the more conservative and is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Jan 12). Purdue University Extension · University of New Hampshire Extension
Direct-sow outdoors
Jan 26 – Feb 9Purdue: very tender — sow at least two weeks after the average last frost (UNH adds: when soil reaches 70°F). Penn State's earliest sowing (May 11 for a May 1 frost) is slightly earlier; the later Purdue rule is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Jan 12). Purdue University Extension · Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners)
Variety assumption: Assumes an average slicing variety (about 55–70 days from seed; Penn State lists 70).
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (4)
- University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
- University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
- Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.
- Penn State Extension (York County Master Gardeners): Vegetable Seed Planting Guide (accessed 2026-07-24)Earliest/latest sowing dates for a May 1 last-frost / Oct 1 first-frost baseline; offsets derived by date difference from May 1. Also days-to-maturity figures.