Squash (Winter) Planting Guide

Winter squash includes butternut, acorn, delicata, and hubbard varieties grown to full maturity with hard rinds for storage. They develop sweet, dense flesh.

Cucurbita moschata · Vegetable · Cucurbitaceae family · 80–120 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Squash (Winter) Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Squash (Winter)?

Zone Compatibility for Squash (Winter) Zones 3a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	Apr 3	May 29	Jun 5	Aug 28 – Oct 9
Zone 3b	Mar 29	May 24	May 31	Aug 23 – Oct 4
Zone 4a	Mar 25	May 20	May 27	Aug 19 – Oct 14
Zone 4b	Mar 20	May 15	May 22	Aug 14 – Oct 9
Zone 5a	Mar 21	May 2	May 9	Aug 1 – Sep 26
Zone 5b	Mar 14	Apr 25	May 2	Jul 25 – Sep 19
Zone 6a	Mar 6	Apr 17	Apr 24	Jul 17 – Sep 11
Zone 6b	Feb 27	Apr 10	Apr 17	Jul 10 – Sep 4
Zone 7a	Feb 25	Apr 1	Apr 8	Jul 1 – Aug 26
Zone 7b	Feb 18	Mar 25	Apr 1	Jun 24 – Aug 19
Zone 8a	Feb 8	Mar 15	Mar 22	Jun 14 – Aug 9
Zone 8b	Jan 28	Mar 4	Mar 11	Jun 3 – Jul 29
Zone 9a	Jan 13	Feb 10	Feb 17	May 12 – Jul 7
Zone 9b	Dec 28	Jan 25	Feb 1	Apr 26 – Jun 21
Zone 10a	Dec 4	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 2 – May 28
Zone 10b	Dec 4	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 2 – May 28
Zone 11a	Dec 4	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 2 – May 28
Zone 11b	Dec 4	Jan 1	Jan 8	Apr 2 – May 28

How to Plant Squash (Winter)

Planting Depth

30"

Between Plants

42"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Squash (Winter)

Squash (Winter) matures in just 80–120 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 9.1 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Squash (Winter)

✅ Good Companions

Corn Green Beans Radish

❌ Keep Away From

Potatoes

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter)

Direct sow after last frost on rich mounds. Allow ample space for sprawling vines. Cure harvested fruits in the sun for 10 days before storing in a cool, dry place.

Saving Squash (Winter) Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Squash (Winter) by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Squash (Winter)?

Squash (Winter) (Cucurbita moschata) takes 80 to 120 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Squash (Winter) grow in?

Squash (Winter) can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Squash (Winter) need?

Growing Squash (Winter) requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.

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