Blog

When to Plant Acorn Squash in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 267 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Acorn Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Lincoln County, OR (Zone 8b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 21

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 192 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,102 GDD — county provides 2,388 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, OR

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 8b

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, OR?

Lincoln County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, OR?

Lincoln County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Lincoln County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.