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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Crane 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.

Crane County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 4,486 feet, Crane County receives approximately 46.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Hubbard Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Crane County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Crane County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.1-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 14

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,191 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Hubbard Squash needs ~2,585 GDD — county provides 5,569 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Crane County, TX

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors 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

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 7b

Growing Season

237 days

Growing Tips for Crane 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 Crane County, TX?

Crane County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crane County, TX?

Crane County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Crane County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Crane County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.