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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Brown County, OH

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.

Brown County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,146 feet, Brown County receives approximately 32 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season.

Brown County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Brown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-6.9

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 (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Sep 4 – Oct 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Brown County

How your county's soil matches Hubbard Squash's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0โ€“6.9) is within Hubbard Squash's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Brown County is excellent for Hubbard Squash โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Hubbard Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) โ€” Hubbard Squash will thrive.

How to Plant Hubbard Squash

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,189 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Hubbard Squash needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 3,024 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Brown County, OH

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Sep 19

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

100โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

189 days in Brown County

Growing Tips for Hubbard Squash in Brown County

Direct sow Hubbard Squash outdoors after April 18 in Brown County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Hubbard Squash in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Brown County, OH?

Brown County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brown County, OH?

Brown County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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