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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in New Jersey

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

New Jersey spans USDA hardiness zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Squash (Winter) planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar for New Jersey

Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 – May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 – May 8
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 – Sep 11
Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 17 Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest July 10 Jul 10 – Sep 4
Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Aug 26
Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Aug 19

Growing Tips for New Jersey

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Winter) in New Jersey?

Planting dates for Squash (Winter) in New Jersey depend on your USDA zone. New Jersey spans zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is New Jersey for planting?

New Jersey contains USDA hardiness zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.