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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Warren County, NJ

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

Warren County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 369 feet, Warren County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Warren County, NJ (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,450 GDD — county provides 2,813 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, NJ

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 17

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 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Warren 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 Warren County, NJ?

Warren County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, NJ?

Warren County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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