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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Kimble 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.

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,850 feet, Kimble County receives approximately 57.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Butternut Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Kimble County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Kimble County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 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.

Soil Compatibility in Kimble County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.6) overlaps with Butternut Squash's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Butternut Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 743 gal / 100 sq ft
Butternut Squash needs ~2,218 GDD — county provides 5,164 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Kimble County, TX

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 15

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 1-2 times/week

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

227 days in Kimble County

Growing Tips for Butternut Squash in Kimble County

Direct sow Butternut Squash outdoors after March 28 in Kimble County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 97ยฐF in Kimble County, provide afternoon shade for Butternut Squash and water deeply in the morning.

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 Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kimble County, TX?

Kimble County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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