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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Richmond City, VA

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.

Richmond City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 615 feet, Richmond City receives approximately 43.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Richmond City, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Richmond City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 18

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 143 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,440 GDD — county provides 3,200 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Richmond City, VA

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Aug 21

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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Richmond City

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 Richmond City, VA?

Richmond City is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richmond City, VA?

Richmond City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richmond City gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Richmond City, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.