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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Zavala 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.

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 4,905 feet, Zavala County receives approximately 59.7 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.

Zavala County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Zavala County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3

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 234 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,778 GDD — county provides 5,470 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Zavala County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
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

276 days

Growing Tips for Zavala 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 Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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