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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Clark County, IN

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, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 1,265 feet, Clark County receives approximately 36.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Clark County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Clark County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Oct 1

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 356 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,973 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Sep 11

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

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 6b

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Clark 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 Clark County, IN?

Clark County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clark County, IN?

Clark County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clark County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Clark County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.