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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Newaygo County, MI

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.

Newaygo County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 592 feet, Newaygo County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Newaygo County, MI (Zone 5b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Newaygo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 24 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Oct 9

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

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 215 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,372 GDD — county provides 2,165 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Newaygo County, MI

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 13
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Harvest August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 26

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

80โ€“100 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

142 days

Growing Tips for Newaygo 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

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Acorn Squash in Newaygo County, MI?

Newaygo County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Newaygo County, MI?

Newaygo County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is October 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Newaygo County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Newaygo County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.