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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Sumner 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.

Sumner County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 198 days.

At an elevation of 637 feet, Sumner County receives approximately 29 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Sumner County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
198 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
198 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Sumner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 26

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 814 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Squash (Winter) needs ~1,375 GDD — county provides 2,722 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 12

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

198 days

Growing Tips for Sumner 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 Sumner County, KS?

Sumner County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumner County, KS?

Sumner County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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