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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Rawlins County, KS

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

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 795 feet, Rawlins County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Rawlins County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Rawlins County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 14

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 201 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Squash (Winter) needs ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,470 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Rawlins County, KS

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 โ€“ May 29
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Oct 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 5b

Growing Season

162 days

Growing Tips for Rawlins 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 Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rawlins County, KS?

Rawlins County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rawlins County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Rawlins County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.