When is the best time to plant cucumbers in open ground in 2025? Auspicious days according to the lunar calendar.

A person who's new to gardening doesn't know all the intricacies of earthworks. Often, planted crops grow poorly and don't yield the desired harvest. There are favorable days for planting garden crops such as cucumbers.

Month	Favorable days	Unfavorable days
February	7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 24, 25	4, 5, 6, 19
March	10, 11, 12, 15, 16	5, 6, 7, 21
April	7, 8, 11, 12, 20, 21, 29, 30	4, 5, 6
May	1, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21-23, 26-28, 31	4, 5, 6, 19
June	1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15	2, 3, 4, 17

The table for the coming year will help you identify the best time to plant cucumbers.

What dates should I plant cucumber seedlings in 2025?

When planning the sowing of seeds or planting of seedlings, this information is the first thing to consider.

Favorable days

According to the lunar calendar:

1. February. The following dates are considered the best for planting: 7th, 8th, 11th-13th, 16th, 17th, 24th, and 25th.
2. March. The following days are allocated for sowing seeds: 10-12, 15, and 16.
3. April. In mid-spring, cucumbers are planted on the following dates: 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 20th, 21st, 29th, and 30th.
4. May. This month has the most favorable days for planting cucumbers: May 1st, 8th-10th, 15th-18th, 21st-23rd, 26th-28th, and 31st.
5. June. Dates for planting crops: 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13-15.

As temperatures stabilize in May, it's recommended to sow seeds in exposed soil. To increase the chances of germination, cover the beds with plastic for a while.

Unfavorable days

Each month, in addition to favorable days, also has unfavorable ones. On these days, planting is prohibited. Typically, the full moon and new moon occur during this period:

1. February. The new moon lasts from February 4th to 6th. The full moon falls on the 19th.
2. March. Cucumbers should not be planted on the 5th-8th or 21st.
3. April. Unfavorable days fall on April 4, 5, 6, and 19.
4. May. May 4, 5, 6 and 19.
5. June. The unfavorable planting period is early June—the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 17th.

Each month has four unfavorable days. One day is the full moon. The new moon period lasts three days.

How to determine the time to sow seeds

It all depends on when you plan to plant the seedlings. It takes at least a month from sowing the seeds until you see strong sprouts.

In addition, other equally important factors are taken into account.

Depending on the variety

Different breeding companies specify sowing times. Each cucumber variety has its own planting time.

Early cucumbers

When working with early cucumbers, the most common question is when to sow the seeds for seedlings. In this case, a simple rule applies: sow them earlier than other varieties. Ultra-early varieties are cold-hardy, so they develop when the weather is still very cold.

Mid-season varieties

Mid-season cucumbers are typically sown in early April. Some varieties can be sown as late as late March.

Late cucumbers

Despite this, late-ripening cucumbers are sown simultaneously with mid-season crops. Sowing can continue throughout April. Within a month, the seedlings will emerge from the soil and can be planted in their permanent location.

Planting seedlings can be planned even earlier if they will be grown in a greenhouse or hotbed.

Depending on the future landing site

The ambient temperature that the plant will experience during growth and development plays a major role. Some gardeners skip the greenhouse cultivation and sow seeds directly into the soil. Others rely on greenhouses for growing their seeds.

Greenhouse

If cucumbers are grown in heated greenhouses, planting begins in the last month of winter. When planting, be mindful of favorable days. If grown in heated greenhouses, timing is less important. At this stage, consider light levels.

Open ground

Seeds are sown in unprotected soil after stable warm weather sets in. If you're wondering what date is best, choose any favorable day after June 5th. The best days for planting are indicated in the lunar calendar.

Depending on the growing region

It's difficult to establish uniform sowing dates, as weather varies across the country. When planting in exposed soil, the climate of each region is taken into account. The second half of May and early June are ideal for sowing seeds in northern regions. The first half of the last month of spring is more suitable for temperate climates.

For seeds to germinate without problems, the soil temperature must be at least 15 degrees Celsius. It's important that this temperature doesn't drop. If these conditions aren't met, the desired results won't be achieved.

Lunar calendar and timing of planting seeds for seedlings

All gardeners, summer residents, and horticulturists know cucumbers as a heat-loving crop. Seeds are planted outdoors in late spring or early summer. By this time, the last frosts should have passed.

The rather late planting period does not allow you to enjoy fresh cucumbers as early as you would like.

Fortunately, this issue is easily resolved by growing from seedlings. This method not only speeds up harvesting but also eliminates the risk of plant death from sudden temperature fluctuations. Indoors, the conditions are ideal for producing strong and vigorous seedlings.

It's recommended to sow cucumber seeds depending on when the seedlings are transplanted. If you plan to grow cucumbers in a greenhouse, early April is a good time. When planting seedlings outdoors under plastic, sow the seeds in late or mid-April. In May, remove the plastic from the cucumbers and leave them outdoors.

Lightly covering the plant will allow it to acclimate to outdoor growth. It will be less sensitive to cold. This is a kind of so-called hardening process that prepares the cucumber for life in the garden.

Waxing and waning moon phases in 2025

The moon directly influences the growth and development of cucumbers:

1. First phase. During this time, the underground part of the plant—the root—develops.
2. The second phase. The plant directs all its energy toward the formation of stems, branches, leaves, and inflorescences.
3. Third phase. Nutrients return to the root system.
4. The fourth phase. Active development of the above-ground part of the crop occurs.

Knowing the correct moon phase to plant cucumbers can help you grow a strong plant that will reward you with a bountiful harvest. During the first and second phases, the plant gains strength and energy, which it will need for growth. The favorable period for planting cucumbers is when the moon moves from one phase to the next, including the last two.

The lunar calendar varies each year in the number of favorable and unfavorable days. Despite this, there are a number of recommendations that must be followed:

1. The moon influences not only seed planting but also seed purchasing. It's recommended to purchase seeds during the new moon.
2. Planting cucumbers and other garden crops is prohibited during the full moon. All gardeners are advised to refrain from planting seeds the day before and after this event.

When planning planting, gardeners ignore the moon's position in a particular zodiac sign. There are groups of signs that influence fertility. There are also those that hinder fruit set.

Days favorable for caring for seedlings

The moon is used for guidance not only when sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings to their permanent location. It is recommended to care for the crop based on the lunar calendar. Caring for cucumbers depends on the phase of the moon:

• 1 and 3 - watering and fertilizing;
• 2 and 4 – weed control, foliar fertilization and spraying.

There's a popular belief that crops that produce fruit above ground should be transplanted when the moon is in its waxing phase. Experienced gardeners and summer residents have shared another secret for sowing seeds. Cucumbers are sown in the ground a week before the new moon and 2-3 days after. This approach preserves the crop's ability to set fruit. Moreover, it increases the yield.