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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Lawrence County, PA

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.

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 167 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 43.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Lawrence County, PA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
167 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
167 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Sep 30

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,305 GDD — county provides 2,421 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Lawrence County, PA

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Sep 14

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

167 days

Growing Tips for Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, PA?

Lawrence County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, PA?

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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