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When to Plant Crookneck Squash in Renville County, MN

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.

Renville County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.

At an elevation of 758 feet, Renville County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Crookneck Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Renville County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
159 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
159 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Renville County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Aug 21

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 140 gal / 100 sq ft
Crookneck Squash needs ~564 GDD — county provides 1,709 GDD Excellent fit

Crookneck Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Renville County, MN

Crookneck Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Aug 6

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 4a

Growing Season

159 days

Growing Tips for Renville 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 Renville County, MN?

Renville County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Crookneck Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Renville County, MN?

Renville County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Renville County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Renville County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.