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When to Plant Squash (Summer) in St. Clair County, MO

Summer squash includes zucchini, yellow crookneck, and pattypan varieties that are harvested young and tender. They are prolific producers in warm weather.

St. Clair County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 699 feet, St. Clair County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Summer) during the growing season.

St. Clair County, MO (Zone 6a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

St. Clair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Summer) needs ~962 GDD — county provides 3,517 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Summer) Planting Timeline โ€” St. Clair County, MO

Squash (Summer) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Aug 12

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 Harvest
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

45โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for St. Clair County

Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Harvest frequently when fruits are 6-8 inches for best texture. Check plants daily as they grow rapidly in summer heat.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Summer) in St. Clair County, MO?

St. Clair County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Squash (Summer) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is St. Clair County, MO?

St. Clair County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help St. Clair County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 St. Clair County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.