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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Giles County, TN

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.

Giles County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,223 feet, Giles County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Giles County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Giles County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 5

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 119 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,710 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Giles County, TN

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Mar 30
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Aug 24

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 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 7a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Giles 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 Giles County, TN?

Giles County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Giles County, TN?

Giles County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Giles 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 Giles County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.