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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Holmes 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.

Holmes County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 788 feet, Holmes County receives approximately 39.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season.

Holmes County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Holmes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Sep 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Sep 15 – Oct 20

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
Hubbard Squash needs ~1,512 GDD — county provides 2,227 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Holmes County, OH

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 30
Harvest August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Holmes 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 Holmes County, OH?

Holmes County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Holmes County, OH?

Holmes County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Holmes County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Holmes County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.