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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Spotsylvania County, 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.

Spotsylvania County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 995 feet, Spotsylvania County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Spotsylvania County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Spotsylvania County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,440 GDD — county provides 3,056 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Spotsylvania County, VA

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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

191 days

Growing Tips for Spotsylvania 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 Spotsylvania County, VA?

Spotsylvania County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Spotsylvania County, VA?

Spotsylvania County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 24.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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