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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Grady County, GA

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.

Grady County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 261 days.

At an elevation of 323 feet, Grady County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Hubbard Squash, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Grady County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
261 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
261 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Grady County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hubbard Squash needs ~2,008 GDD — county provides 4,763 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Grady County, GA

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 6

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
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

100โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

261 days

Growing Tips for Grady 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 Grady County, GA?

Grady County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grady County, GA?

Grady County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grady County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Grady County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.