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When to Plant Crookneck Squash in King County, WA

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.

King County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 258 feet, King County receives approximately 37.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Crookneck Squash during the growing season.

King County, WA (Zone 8b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

King County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 428 gal / 100 sq ft
Crookneck Squash needs ~879 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Crookneck Squash Planting Timeline โ€” King County, WA

Crookneck Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jul 7

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 8b

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for King 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 King County, WA?

King County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Crookneck Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is King County, WA?

King County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help King County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 King County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.