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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in North Dakota

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

North Dakota spans USDA hardiness zones 3a, 3b, 4a (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.

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar for North Dakota

Zone 3a ~123 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 15 · First frost: September 15 · 123 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 – Jun 19
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 – Jun 19
Harvest August 28 Aug 28 – Oct 9
Zone 3b ~135 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 10 · First frost: September 22 · 135 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 – Jun 14
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 – Oct 4
Zone 4a ~145 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 6 · First frost: September 28 · 145 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Direct Sow May 20 May 20 – Jun 10
Harvest August 19 Aug 19 – Oct 14

Growing Tips for North Dakota

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 North Dakota?

Planting dates for Squash (Winter) in North Dakota depend on your USDA zone. North Dakota spans zones 3a, 3b, 4a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is North Dakota for planting?

North Dakota contains USDA hardiness zones 3a, 3b, 4a. 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.