When to Plant Acorn Squash in Cavalier County, ND
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.
Cavalier County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.
At an elevation of 568 feet, Cavalier County receives approximately 27.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Acorn Squash to ensure they mature before fall.
Cavalier County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.4
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Cavalier County, ND
Acorn Squash Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 1 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
| Direct Sow | May 27 | May 27 – Jun 17 |
| Harvest | August 26 | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| 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 3a
Growing Season
138 days
Growing Tips for Cavalier 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 Cavalier County, ND?
Cavalier County is in Zone 3a with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cavalier County, ND?
Cavalier County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 28.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Cavalier County gardeners in Zone 3a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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