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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Waller 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.

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Waller County receives approximately 64.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Waller County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Waller County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20

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 176 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,912 GDD — county provides 6,141 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Waller County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 5
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
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 8b

Growing Season

288 days

Growing Tips for Waller 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 Waller County, TX?

Waller County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waller County, TX?

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 4.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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