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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Republic 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.

Republic County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 748 feet, Republic County receives approximately 28.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Republic County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Republic County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4

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 Republic County

How your county's soil matches Squash (Winter)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.5) overlaps with Squash (Winter)'s range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 176-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 16 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 597 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Squash (Winter) needs ~1,525 GDD — county provides 2,684 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 22

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

80โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

176 days in Republic County

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter) in Republic County

Direct sow Squash (Winter) outdoors after April 21 in Republic County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Republic County, KS?

Republic County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Republic County, KS?

Republic County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Republic County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Republic County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.