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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Anderson County, TX

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.

Anderson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 255 days.

At an elevation of 86 feet, Anderson County receives approximately 73.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Acorn Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Acorn Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Acorn Squash root diseases.

Anderson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
255 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
255 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Anderson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 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
Acorn Squash needs ~1,980 GDD — county provides 5,610 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Anderson County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

255 days

Growing Tips for Anderson 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 Anderson County, TX?

Anderson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Anderson County, TX?

Anderson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 16.

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