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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Wise 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.

Wise County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 2,328 feet, Wise County receives approximately 41.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.

Wise County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Wise County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 11

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 160 gal / 100 sq ft
Acorn Squash needs ~1,642 GDD — county provides 3,540 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Wise County, VA

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 23

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 6b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Wise 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 Wise County, VA?

Wise County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wise County, VA?

Wise County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wise County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Wise County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.