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When to Plant Squash (Summer) in Muskogee County, OK

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

Muskogee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 651 feet, Muskogee County receives approximately 25.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Summer) during the growing season.

Muskogee County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Muskogee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 21

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.

Soil Compatibility in Muskogee County

How your county's soil matches Squash (Summer)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2โ€“7.6) overlaps with Squash (Summer)'s range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Muskogee County is excellent for Squash (Summer) โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Squash (Summer) will thrive.

How to Plant Squash (Summer)

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Squash (Summer)

5
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,070 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Squash (Summer)

Squash (Summer) needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Squash (Summer) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.6" 1.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Muskogee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Squash (Summer) Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Squash (Summer) needs ~1,045 GDD — county provides 3,971 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Summer) Planting Timeline โ€” Muskogee County, OK

Squash (Summer) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 8

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Muskogee County

Growing Tips for Squash (Summer) in Muskogee County

Direct sow Squash (Summer) outdoors after April 04 in Muskogee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 209.0-day season in Muskogee County allows multiple plantings of Squash (Summer). Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Squash (Summer) in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Summer) in Muskogee County, OK?

Muskogee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Squash (Summer) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Muskogee County, OK?

Muskogee County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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