When to Plant Acorn Squash in USDA Zone 6b
Your May gardening checklist
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 6b.
-
Move acorn squash into the garden
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
-
Indoor seed-starting week for acorn squash
You're about 24 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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.
In Zone 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Acorn Squash planting schedule for that location.
Acorn Squash Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Direct Sow | April 10 | Apr 10 – May 1 |
| Harvest | July 10 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
80–100 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
205 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 30 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 42 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Acorn Squash in Zone
Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Acorn Squash in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~205 days). Start Acorn Squash indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Acorn Squash Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Acorn Squash in Other Zones
Acorn Squash by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Acorn Squash in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Acorn Squash planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around February 27. Direct sow outdoors around April 10. Transplant seedlings around April 17.
Can Acorn Squash grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Acorn Squash can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Acorn Squash (80-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Acorn Squash in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Acorn Squash from July 10 – August 14. Acorn Squash takes 80-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Acorn Squash?
Good companion plants for Acorn Squash include Corn, Green Beans. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.