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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Person 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.

Person County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 891 feet, Person County receives approximately 49.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Person County, NC (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Person County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 1

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 ~1,778 GDD — county provides 4,246 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Person County, NC

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Person 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 Person County, NC?

Person County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Person County, NC?

Person County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Person County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Person County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.