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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Camden County, GA

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.

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, 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.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Butternut Squash needs ~2,584 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, GA

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 โ€“ Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 7
Direct Sow February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Mar 7
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

295 days

Growing Tips for Camden 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 Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden 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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.