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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Spalding 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.

Spalding County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 216 days.

At an elevation of 468 feet, Spalding County receives approximately 51.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Butternut Squash during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Butternut Squash, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Spalding County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
216 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
216 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Spalding County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 4

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 ~1,852 GDD — county provides 4,104 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Spalding County, GA

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
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

216 days

Growing Tips for Spalding 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 Spalding County, GA?

Spalding County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Spalding County, GA?

Spalding County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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