Blog

When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Pendleton County, KY

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.

Pendleton County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 3,475 feet, Pendleton County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season.

Pendleton County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Pendleton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Oct 7

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Hubbard Squash needs ~1,512 GDD — county provides 2,640 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Pendleton County, KY

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Sep 17

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 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

100โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Pendleton 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 Pendleton County, KY?

Pendleton County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pendleton County, KY?

Pendleton County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pendleton County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pendleton County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.