When to Plant Acorn Squash in USDA Zone 9a
What to do in June
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 9a.
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It's harvest week for acorn squash
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
Coming up in July — start thinking about
- First harvests: acorn squash
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 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Acorn Squash planting schedule for that location.
Acorn Squash Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 13 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Direct Sow | February 10 | Feb 10 – Mar 3 |
| Harvest | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 16 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a 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
20°F to 25°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone 9a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 30 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 42 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Acorn Squash in Zone 9a
Sow every 9.1 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Acorn Squash in Zone 9a
Zone 9a offers a long growing season (~303 days). You can plant Acorn Squash earlier and may get multiple harvests.
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
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Saving Acorn Squash Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
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 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Acorn Squash planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around January 13. Direct sow outdoors around February 10. Transplant seedlings around February 17.
Can Acorn Squash grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Acorn Squash can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Acorn Squash (80-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Acorn Squash in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Acorn Squash from May 12 – June 16. Acorn Squash takes 80-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 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 Zone 9a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 9a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.