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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Crawford County, KS

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.

Crawford County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 813 feet, Crawford County receives approximately 33.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Butternut Squash during the growing season.

Crawford County, KS (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Crawford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 8

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
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 525 gal / 100 sq ft
Butternut Squash needs ~1,706 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Crawford County, KS

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 26

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Crawford 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 Crawford County, KS?

Crawford County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crawford County, KS?

Crawford County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crawford County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Crawford County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.