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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Refugio 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.

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 1,000 feet, Refugio County receives approximately 68.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, so Hubbard Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Hubbard Squash root diseases.

Refugio County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Refugio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (153 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 5 Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 60 gal / 100 sq ft
Hubbard Squash needs ~2,998 GDD — county provides 8,011 GDD Excellent fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Refugio County, TX

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 โ€“ Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Direct Sow February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 9
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

293 days

Growing Tips for Refugio 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 Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Refugio County, TX?

Refugio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Refugio County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Refugio County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.