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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 1,468 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 47.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Jackson County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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 264 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Squash (Winter) needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 4,069 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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 โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, AR?

Jackson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, AR?

Jackson County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson 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 Jackson County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.