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When to plant Squash (Summer) in Wallace County County,

Aim to plant Squash (Summer) in Wallace County County on or after May 8; the window stays open through May 29. Wallace County County's 161-day frost-free season gives you a single solid spring crop with a brief fall option.

When to Plant Squash (Summer) in Wallace County, KS

Wallace County, Kansas Zone 6a June

Your June gardening checklist

Each item below is timed to Wallace County, Kansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 9
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for squash (summer)

    These need a head start before your last frost (May 1). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

July prep starts now
  • First harvests: squash (summer)

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Summer squash includes zucchini, yellow crookneck, and pattypan varieties that are harvested young and tender. They are prolific producers in warm weather.

Wallace County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Wallace County receives approximately 33.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Squash (Summer) to ensure they mature before fall.

Wallace County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
161 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
161 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9
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Wallace County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Squash (Summer) Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17

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 Wallace County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.2) is within Squash (Summer)'s preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Wallace County is excellent for Squash (Summer) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Squash (Summer) will thrive.

How to Plant Squash (Summer)

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

Succession Planting Squash (Summer)

4
successive plantings in your 161-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Squash (Summer) Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 199 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Squash (Summer)

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

Month Squash (Summer) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Squash (Summer) 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.

Squash (Summer) needs ~674 GDD — county provides 1,972 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Summer) Planting Timeline — Wallace County, KS

Squash (Summer) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 – May 29
Direct Sow May 8 May 8 – May 29
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Sep 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

161 days in Wallace County

Growing Tips for Squash (Summer) in Wallace County

Direct sow Squash (Summer) outdoors after May 01 in Wallace County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Squash (Summer) 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 on mounds. Harvest frequently when fruits are 6-8 inches for best texture. Check plants daily as they grow rapidly in summer heat.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Summer) in Wallace County, KS?

Wallace County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Squash (Summer) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wallace County, KS?

Wallace County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 9.

When should I plant Squash (Summer) in Wallace County, ?

In Wallace County, , plant Squash (Summer) after the last frost (around May 1) and before the first frost (around October 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Wallace County, for Squash (Summer)?

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

Can Squash (Summer) grow in Wallace County's climate?

Yes — Squash (Summer) grows well in Wallace County's temperate climate. Wallace County averages a 161-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 1 and first frost around October 9.

🌱

Your Wallace County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Wallace County (Zone 6a). 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 Wallace 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.