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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Yuba County, CA

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

Yuba County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 303 feet, Yuba County receives approximately 26.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Yuba County, CA (Zone 9a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
201 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Yuba County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 30 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 958 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Squash (Winter) needs ~2,050 GDD — county provides 4,120 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Yuba County, CA

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 9a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Yuba 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 Yuba County, CA?

Yuba County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Yuba County, CA?

Yuba County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Yuba County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Yuba County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.