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When to Plant Delicata Squash in Fulton County, NY

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

Fulton County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 566 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 46.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Delicata Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Fulton County, NY (Zone 5a) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Sep 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 26 Transplant: Jun 14 🍅 Harvest: Sep 6 – Oct 11

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Delicata Squash needs ~1,102 GDD — county provides 1,751 GDD Excellent fit

Delicata Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Fulton County, NY

Delicata Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Transplant Outdoors May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jun 11
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 11
Harvest August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

143 days

Growing Tips for Fulton 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 Fulton County, NY?

Fulton County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Delicata Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, NY?

Fulton County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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