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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Flagler County, FL

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.

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 134 feet, Flagler County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Butternut Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Butternut Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Flagler County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 17

Flagler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 29 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,630 gal / 100 sq ft
Butternut Squash needs ~2,364 GDD — county provides 7,663 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Flagler County, FL

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 26
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

315 days

Growing Tips for Flagler 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 Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Flagler County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Flagler County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.