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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Baxter County, AR

Winter squash includes butternut, acorn, delicata, and hubbard varieties grown to full maturity with hard rinds for storage. They develop sweet, dense flesh.

Baxter County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 587 feet, Baxter County receives approximately 45.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Baxter County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Baxter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

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 176 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Squash (Winter) needs ~1,600 GDD — county provides 3,328 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Baxter County, AR

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Sep 3

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 Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

208 days

Growing Tips for Baxter County

Direct sow after last frost on rich mounds. Allow ample space for sprawling vines. Cure harvested fruits in the sun for 10 days before storing in a cool, dry place.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Winter) in Baxter County, AR?

Baxter County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baxter County, AR?

Baxter County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baxter County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Baxter County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.