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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Dimmit 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.

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 278 days.

At an elevation of 2,638 feet, Dimmit County receives approximately 63.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, 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.

Dimmit County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
278 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
278 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Dimmit County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 121 gal / 100 sq ft
Butternut Squash needs ~1,999 GDD — county provides 5,719 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Dimmit County, TX

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 8b

Growing Season

278 days

Growing Tips for Dimmit 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 Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dimmit County, TX?

Dimmit County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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