Blog

When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Mitchell 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.

Mitchell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 2,287 feet, Mitchell County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Mitchell County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Mitchell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 16

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Hubbard Squash needs ~2,338 GDD — county provides 4,845 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Mitchell County, TX

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
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

228 days

Growing Tips for Mitchell 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 Mitchell County, TX?

Mitchell County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mitchell County, TX?

Mitchell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mitchell County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mitchell County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.