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When to Plant Crookneck Squash in Decatur County, IN

Yellow crookneck squash is a summer squash with a curved neck and bumpy, bright yellow skin. It has a buttery flavor and is best harvested young when 4-6 inches long.

Decatur County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 985 feet, Decatur County receives approximately 32.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crookneck Squash during the growing season.

Decatur County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Decatur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 29

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
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,018 gal / 100 sq ft
Crookneck Squash needs ~919 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Crookneck Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Decatur County, IN

Crookneck Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 10

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 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

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Decatur County

Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Pick frequently while small for tender texture. Skin becomes tough and warty on larger fruits. Very productive in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crookneck Squash in Decatur County, IN?

Decatur County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Crookneck Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Decatur County, IN?

Decatur County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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