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When to Plant Crookneck Squash in Lincoln County, ME

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.

Lincoln County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 815 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crookneck Squash during the growing season.

Lincoln County, ME (Zone 5b) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 15

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Crookneck Squash needs ~801 GDD — county provides 2,424 GDD Excellent fit

Crookneck Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, ME

Crookneck Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Direct Sow May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

45โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, ME?

Lincoln County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Crookneck Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, ME?

Lincoln County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Lincoln County, ME. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.