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When to Plant Crookneck Squash in Knox County, KY

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.

Knox County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 2,802 feet, Knox County receives approximately 46.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crookneck Squash during the growing season.

Knox County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Knox County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 8

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Crookneck Squash needs ~761 GDD — county provides 2,682 GDD Excellent fit

Crookneck Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Knox County, KY

Crookneck Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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 6b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Knox 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 Knox County, KY?

Knox County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Crookneck Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Knox County, KY?

Knox County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Knox County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Knox County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.