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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Gordon County, GA

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

Gordon County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 416 feet, Gordon County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Squash (Winter), but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Gordon County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Gordon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 20

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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)

2
successive plantings in your 207-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 22 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,600 GDD — county provides 3,312 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Gordon County, GA

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

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

207 days in Gordon County

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter) in Gordon County

Direct sow Squash (Winter) outdoors after April 06 in Gordon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Gordon County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Squash (Winter). Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Gordon County, GA?

Gordon County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gordon County, GA?

Gordon County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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