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When to plant Butternut Squash in Bascom, FL

Aim to plant Butternut Squash in Bascom on or after March 6; the window stays open through March 27. Bascom's 258-day frost-free season gives you plenty of room for a spring and fall cycle.

When to Plant Butternut Squash in Bascom, FL

Butternut squash is a popular winter squash with a long neck, small seed cavity, and sweet, nutty orange flesh. It stores exceptionally well for months.

Bascom, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 223 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 48.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Butternut Squash during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Butternut Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Bascom, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Bascom Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Butternut Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.9" 2.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Jackson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline — Bascom, FL

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 27
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 – Jul 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

85–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

258 days in Jackson County

Growing Tips for Bascom

Start seeds indoors 3 weeks early or direct sow after frost. Allow 6-8 feet for sprawling vines. Harvest when the skin is hard and uniformly tan. Cure in the sun for 10 days.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Butternut Squash in Bascom, FL?

In Bascom, FL, plant Butternut Squash after the last frost (around March 6) and before the first frost (around November 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bascom, FL for Butternut Squash?

Bascom sits in USDA Zone 9a. Butternut Squash grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Butternut Squash grow in Bascom's climate?

Yes — Butternut Squash grows well in Bascom's temperate climate. Bascom averages a 258-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 6 and first frost around November 19.

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Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Jackson County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.