Blog

When to Plant Butternut Squash in Stonewall 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.

Stonewall County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 235 days.

At an elevation of 2,417 feet, Stonewall County receives approximately 57.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Butternut Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Butternut Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Stonewall County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
235 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
235 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Stonewall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 2

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
Drought risk

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

Butternut Squash needs ~2,291 GDD — county provides 5,522 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Stonewall County, TX

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 21
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Aug 11

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
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

235 days

Growing Tips for Stonewall 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 Stonewall County, TX?

Stonewall County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stonewall County, TX?

Stonewall County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stonewall County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stonewall County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.