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When to plant Butternut Squash in Wabaunsee County County,

Wabaunsee County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Plant Butternut Squash between April 25 (after last frost on April 18) and May 16.

When to Plant Butternut Squash in Wabaunsee County, KS

Wabaunsee County, Kansas Zone 6b June

Your June planting checklist for Wabaunsee County, Kansas

Your garden in Wabaunsee County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs

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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.

Wabaunsee County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 660 feet, Wabaunsee County receives approximately 30.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Butternut Squash during the growing season.

Wabaunsee County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Wabaunsee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Butternut Squash Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 19

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 Wabaunsee County

How your county's soil matches Butternut Squash's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.5) is more alkaline than Butternut Squash prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Wabaunsee County is excellent for Butternut Squash — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) — Butternut Squash will thrive.

How to Plant Butternut Squash

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

Butternut Squash Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 764 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Butternut Squash

Butternut 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 Butternut Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.8" 3.8" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.8" 4.4" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.8" 4.4" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.8" 4.1" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.8" 3.8" 1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.8" 3" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.8" 1.8" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Butternut 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.

Butternut Squash needs ~1,487 GDD — county provides 2,790 GDD Excellent fit

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline — Wabaunsee County, KS

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 – May 16
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

85–110 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Wabaunsee County

Growing Tips for Butternut Squash in Wabaunsee County

Direct sow Butternut Squash outdoors after April 18 in Wabaunsee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Butternut 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

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Butternut Squash in Wabaunsee County, KS?

Wabaunsee County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wabaunsee County, KS?

Wabaunsee County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.

When should I plant Butternut Squash in Wabaunsee County County, ?

In Wabaunsee County County, , plant Butternut Squash after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wabaunsee County County, for Butternut Squash?

Wabaunsee County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Butternut Squash grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Butternut Squash grow in Wabaunsee County County's climate?

Yes — Butternut Squash grows well in Wabaunsee County County's temperate climate. Wabaunsee County County averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 18.

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Your Wabaunsee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wabaunsee 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.

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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 Wabaunsee County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.