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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Cass County, TX

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.

Cass County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 392 feet, Cass County receives approximately 71.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Hubbard Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Hubbard Squash root diseases.

Cass County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Cass County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 6

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 Cass County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.7) overlaps with Hubbard Squash's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Cass County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Hubbard Squash will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Hubbard Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Hubbard Squash.

How to Plant Hubbard Squash

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 178 gal / 100 sq ft
Hubbard Squash needs ~2,255 GDD — county provides 5,063 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, TX

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Aug 15

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

100โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

247 days in Cass County

Growing Tips for Hubbard Squash in Cass County

Direct sow Hubbard Squash outdoors after March 14 in Cass County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Cass County dries quickly โ€” mulch Hubbard Squash with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 Cass County, TX?

Cass County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, TX?

Cass County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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