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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Wilson 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.

Wilson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.

At an elevation of 2,660 feet, Wilson County receives approximately 62.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Wilson County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
266 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
266 growing days
First Fall Frost November 25

Wilson 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 (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 23 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 899 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Acorn Squash needs ~1,778 GDD — county provides 5,253 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Wilson County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 15

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 8b

Growing Season

266 days

Growing Tips for Wilson 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 Wilson County, TX?

Wilson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilson County, TX?

Wilson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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