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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Pueblo 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.

Pueblo County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 4,607 feet, Pueblo County receives approximately 14.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Hubbard Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Pueblo County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 7
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Pueblo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 1
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 8
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 16 – Oct 21

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,002 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Hubbard Squash needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 2,448 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Pueblo County, CO

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Oct 8

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 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 6a

Growing Season

153 days

Growing Tips for Pueblo 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 Pueblo County, CO?

Pueblo County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pueblo County, CO?

Pueblo County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pueblo County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Pueblo County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.