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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Flagler County, FL

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

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost is December 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 315 days.

At an elevation of 134 feet, Flagler County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, so Squash (Winter) may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Squash (Winter) will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Squash (Winter) root diseases.

Flagler County, FL (Zone 9a) Year-round
315 days
Last Spring Frost February 5
315 growing days
First Fall Frost December 17

Flagler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-5.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 25 Transplant: Jan 29 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (154 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,630 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~2,425 GDD — county provides 7,663 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Flagler County, FL

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Transplant Outdoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 26
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jul 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

315 days

Growing Tips for Flagler 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 Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 5. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Flagler County, FL?

Flagler County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 5 and first fall frost is December 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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