Blog

When to Plant Delicata Squash in Baker County, FL

Delicata squash is a winter squash with an edible skin and sweet, creamy orange flesh. Its compact vines make it suitable for smaller gardens.

Baker County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 177 feet, Baker County receives approximately 55.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Delicata Squash during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Delicata Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Delicata Squash root diseases.

Baker County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Baker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 28 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jun 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,050 gal / 100 sq ft
Delicata Squash needs ~1,845 GDD — county provides 5,555 GDD Excellent fit

Delicata Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Baker County, FL

Delicata Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

80โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

271 days

Growing Tips for Baker County

Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Harvest when skin is hard and ivory with green stripes. The thin skin does not need peeling. Stores 2-3 months in a cool place.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Delicata Squash in Baker County, FL?

Baker County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Delicata Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baker County, FL?

Baker County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baker County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Baker County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.