When to Plant Acorn Squash in Cass County, IA
Acorn squash is a small winter squash with dark green, ribbed skin and mildly sweet orange flesh. It is perfect for stuffing and roasting as individual servings.
Cass County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.
At an elevation of 1,043 feet, Cass County receives approximately 31.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.
Cass County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-6.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Plant Water Budget
Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Cass County, IA
Acorn Squash Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | August 1 | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
80–100 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 5a
Growing Season
167 days
Growing Tips for Cass County
Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when the ground spot turns orange and the skin is hard. Acorn squash has a shorter storage life than butternut, lasting about 2 months.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Level Up Your Garden
Acorn Squash in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Acorn Squash in Cass County, IA?
Cass County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cass County, IA?
Cass County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 9.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Cass County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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