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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Ohio 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.

Ohio County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 882 feet, Ohio County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Ohio County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Ohio 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 (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 8

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 888 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,675 GDD — county provides 3,098 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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 6a

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Ohio 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 Ohio County, IN?

Ohio County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ohio County, IN?

Ohio County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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