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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Garland County, AR

Butternut squash is a popular winter squash with a long neck, small seed cavity, and sweet, nutty orange flesh. It stores exceptionally well for months.

Garland County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 492 feet, Garland County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Butternut Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Garland County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Garland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Aug 30

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Butternut Squash needs ~2,072 GDD — county provides 4,781 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Garland County, AR

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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

85โ€“110 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

225 days

Growing Tips for Garland County

Start seeds indoors 3 weeks early or direct sow after frost. Allow 6-8 feet for sprawling vines. Harvest when the skin is hard and uniformly tan. Cure in the sun for 10 days.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Butternut Squash in Garland County, AR?

Garland County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Garland County, AR?

Garland County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Garland County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Garland County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.