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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Jefferson County, OK

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

Jefferson County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 883 feet, Jefferson County receives approximately 24.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Jefferson County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Jefferson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16

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 Jefferson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.5) is more alkaline than Squash (Winter) prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) โ€” Squash (Winter) will thrive.

How to Plant Squash (Winter)

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Squash (Winter)

3
successive plantings in your 228-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,106 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~1,825 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson County, OK

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

228 days in Jefferson County

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter) in Jefferson County

Direct sow Squash (Winter) outdoors after March 26 in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County receives only 25" of rain annually. Squash (Winter) needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Jefferson County, OK?

Jefferson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson County, OK?

Jefferson County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Jefferson County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.