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When to Plant Spaghetti Squash in Houston County, TN

Spaghetti squash is a winter squash whose cooked flesh separates into pasta-like strands. It is a popular low-carb alternative to pasta.

Houston County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 1,399 feet, Houston County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spaghetti Squash during the growing season.

Houston County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Houston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Aug 29

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 263 gal / 100 sq ft
Spaghetti Squash needs ~1,619 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD Excellent fit

Spaghetti Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Houston County, TN

Spaghetti Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

85โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

208 days

Growing Tips for Houston County

Direct sow on mounds after last frost. Harvest when skin turns golden yellow and is hard. Store in a cool, dry place for 2-3 months. Bake or microwave halves until tender.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spaghetti Squash in Houston County, TN?

Houston County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Spaghetti Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Houston County, TN?

Houston County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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