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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Bandera 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.

Bandera County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 4,846 feet, Bandera County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Acorn Squash root diseases.

Bandera County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Bandera County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18

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 305 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Acorn Squash needs ~1,845 GDD — county provides 5,166 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Bandera County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 20

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

252 days

Growing Tips for Bandera 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 Bandera County, TX?

Bandera County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bandera County, TX?

Bandera County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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