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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Gosper County, NE

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.

Gosper County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 823 feet, Gosper County receives approximately 33.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Butternut Squash during the growing season.

Gosper County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Gosper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline — Gosper County, NE

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 – May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 – Sep 19

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
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Gosper County

Growing Tips for Gosper County

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 Gosper County, NE?

Gosper County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gosper County, NE?

Gosper County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Gosper County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Gosper County (Zone 5b). 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 Gosper County, NE. 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.