Blog

When to Plant Acorn Squash in Harney County, OR

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.

Harney County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and the first fall frost is September 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 81 days.

At an elevation of 679 feet, Harney County receives approximately 22.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Harney County, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
81 days
Last Spring Frost June 17
81 growing days
First Fall Frost September 6

Harney County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 8 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Oct 23
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 13 Transplant: Jul 1 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 20 Transplant: Jul 8 🍅 Harvest: Sep 30 – Nov 4

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Acorn Squash needs ~1,372 GDD — county provides 1,235 GDD Tight fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Harney County, OR

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 13 May 13 โ€“ May 27
Transplant Outdoors July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Jul 15
Direct Sow June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Jul 15
Harvest September 23 Sep 23 โ€“ Oct 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

81 days

Growing Tips for Harney 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 Harney County, OR?

Harney County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 17. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harney County, OR?

Harney County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 17 and first fall frost is September 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Harney County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Harney County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.