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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Concho County, TX

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.

Concho County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 3,848 feet, Concho County receives approximately 58.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Butternut Squash during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Concho County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Concho County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 31

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.

Soil Compatibility in Concho County

How your county's soil matches Butternut Squash's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.4) overlaps with Butternut Squash's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Concho County is excellent for Butternut Squash โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Butternut Squash.

How to Plant Butternut Squash

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 115 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Butternut Squash needs ~1,926 GDD — county provides 4,582 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Concho County, TX

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Aug 12

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

85โ€“110 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

232 days in Concho County

Growing Tips for Butternut Squash in Concho County

Direct sow Butternut Squash outdoors after March 25 in Concho County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Butternut Squash in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Concho County, TX?

Concho County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Concho County, TX?

Concho County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Concho County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Concho County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.