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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Gregg 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.

Gregg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 337 feet, Gregg County receives approximately 74.3 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.

Gregg County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Gregg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 150 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,980 GDD — county provides 5,566 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Gregg 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

253 days

Growing Tips for Gregg 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 Gregg County, TX?

Gregg 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 Gregg County, TX?

Gregg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 17.

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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 Gregg County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.