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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Harrison 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.

Harrison County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 168 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 63.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Hubbard Squash root diseases.

Harrison County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 14
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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 461 gal / 100 sq ft
Hubbard Squash needs ~2,420 GDD — county provides 5,412 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, TX

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 10
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 โ€“ Aug 14

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

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 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Harrison 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 Harrison County, TX?

Harrison County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, TX?

Harrison County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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