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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Nowata 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.

Nowata County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 839 feet, Nowata County receives approximately 25.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Nowata County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Nowata County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 22

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 847 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Winter) needs ~2,050 GDD — county provides 4,120 GDD Excellent fit

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

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 8

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 7a

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Nowata 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 Nowata County, OK?

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

What planting zone is Nowata County, OK?

Nowata County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Nowata County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Nowata County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.