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When to Plant Delicata Squash in Henry County, KY

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

Henry County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,436 feet, Henry County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Delicata Squash during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Delicata Squash root diseases.

Henry County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 12

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
Delicata Squash needs ~1,440 GDD — county provides 3,184 GDD Excellent fit

Delicata Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, KY

Delicata Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Aug 21

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 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

80โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, KY?

Henry County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Delicata Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, KY?

Henry County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Henry 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 Henry County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.