Cucumber Crop Guide

Estimated Cost$800 to $1000 per acre up to harvest
Market OutletsFood service, wholesale, grocery store, farmer's markets, roadside, pick-your-own
Market PotentialModerate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times
Yield Potential250-300 55lb cartons/ac
Profit Potential$0 to $1,000 per acre
Adapted AreasStatewide
Labor Requirements 1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest
Equipment RequirementsTractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system
Soil RequirementsSandy to medium textured soil with good drainage
Water Requirements15 to 20 inches water per acre during season
Minimum Size1 to 5 acres
Risk Factor Moderate to high
Other Limiting FactorsEarly freeze, weeds, diseases, rain and insects. Must have honey bees for crop pollination.
CommentsWholesale costs range from 20 to 30 percent for growing and 70 to 80 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.) Cucumbers have a spring and fall season in most areas of Texas.