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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Harrison 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.

Harrison County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 528 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Harrison County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Sep 24

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 305 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,600 GDD — county provides 3,296 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 9

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

206 days

Growing Tips for Harrison 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 Harrison County, IN?

Harrison County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, IN?

Harrison County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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