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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Montezuma County, CO

Hubbard squash is a large, bumpy-skinned winter squash with dense, sweet, dry flesh ideal for baking and pies. The hard shell allows storage for 6 months or more.

Montezuma County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,063 feet, Montezuma County receives approximately 15.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Hubbard Squash to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Hubbard Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Montezuma County, CO (Zone 5b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27

Montezuma County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 15 – Oct 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Sep 23 – Oct 28
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 9 Transplant: Jun 27 🍅 Harvest: Oct 10 – Nov 14

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 632 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Hubbard Squash needs ~1,430 GDD — county provides 1,599 GDD Good fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Montezuma County, CO

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Transplant Outdoors June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jun 24
Direct Sow June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24
Harvest September 23 Sep 23 โ€“ Oct 28

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 Start Indoors
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

100โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

123 days

Growing Tips for Montezuma County

Start seeds indoors in short-season areas. Requires ample space and rich soil. Harvest when the skin is very hard and the color is deep. Cure in the sun before storing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hubbard Squash in Montezuma County, CO?

Montezuma County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 27. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montezuma County, CO?

Montezuma County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 27 and first fall frost is September 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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