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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Washington County, UT

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.

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,524 feet, Washington County receives approximately 12.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Acorn Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washington County, UT (Zone 8a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 29 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 7

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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Acorn Squash needs ~1,575 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, UT

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
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

209 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, UT?

Washington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, UT?

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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