Blog

When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Wayne County, MO

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.

Wayne County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,103 feet, Wayne County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season.

Wayne County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Wayne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Sep 23

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Hubbard Squash needs ~1,595 GDD — county provides 3,030 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Wayne County, MO

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Sep 7

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

209 days

Growing Tips for Wayne 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 Wayne County, MO?

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

What planting zone is Wayne County, MO?

Wayne County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wayne 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 Wayne County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.