Blog

When to Plant Acorn Squash in Pasquotank County, NC

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.

Pasquotank County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 591 feet, Pasquotank County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Acorn Squash, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Acorn Squash root diseases.

Pasquotank County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Pasquotank County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 26

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,575 GDD — county provides 4,025 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Pasquotank County, NC

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Pasquotank 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 Pasquotank County, NC?

Pasquotank County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pasquotank County, NC?

Pasquotank County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pasquotank County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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