Blog

When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Clark 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.

Clark County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,350 feet, Clark County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Clark County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13

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 Clark County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.7) overlaps with Squash (Winter)'s range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Squash (Winter).

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Squash (Winter).

How to Plant Squash (Winter)

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

Succession Planting Squash (Winter)

3
successive plantings in your 232-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 4,234 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

232 days in Clark County

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter) in Clark County

Direct sow Squash (Winter) outdoors after March 22 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Squash (Winter) 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 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 Clark County, AR?

Clark County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, AR?

Clark County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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