When to Plant Acorn Squash in Stevens County, KS
May in the garden — Stevens County, Kansas
Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Plant out acorn squash
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
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Start acorn squash under lights
Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.
Acorn squash is a small winter squash with dark green, ribbed skin and mildly sweet orange flesh. It is perfect for stuffing and roasting as individual servings.
Stevens County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.
At an elevation of 1,123 feet, Stevens County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.
Stevens County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Stevens County
How your county's soil matches Acorn Squash's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) is more alkaline than Acorn Squash prefers (5.5–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Stevens County is excellent for Acorn Squash — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Acorn Squash.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Acorn Squash.
How to Plant Acorn Squash
Succession Planting Acorn Squash
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Acorn Squash
Acorn Squash needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week (4.8" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Acorn Squash Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.8" | 3.1" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.8" | 3.9" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.8" | 2.5" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.8" | 2.7" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.8" | 3" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.8" | 2.5" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.8" | 2.8" | 2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Stevens County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Acorn Squash Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Stevens County, KS
Acorn Squash Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 4 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Direct Sow | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| Harvest | July 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
179 days in Stevens County
Growing Tips for Acorn Squash in Stevens County
Direct sow Acorn Squash outdoors after April 20 in Stevens County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Acorn Squash in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when the ground spot turns orange and the skin is hard. Acorn squash has a shorter storage life than butternut, lasting about 2 months.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Acorn Squash in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Acorn Squash in Stevens County, KS?
Stevens County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Stevens County, KS?
Stevens County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 16.
Your Stevens County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Stevens County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.