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When to Plant Delicata Squash in Malheur County, OR

Delicata squash is a winter squash with an edible skin and sweet, creamy orange flesh. Its compact vines make it suitable for smaller gardens.

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 2,676 feet, Malheur County receives approximately 17.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Delicata Squash during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Delicata Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Malheur County, OR (Zone 6b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Malheur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Delicata Squash Planting Timeline — Malheur County, OR

Delicata Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 13 Apr 13 – Apr 27
Transplant Outdoors June 1 Jun 1 – Jun 15
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 – Jun 15
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 – Sep 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

80–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Malheur County

Growing Tips for Malheur County

Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Harvest when skin is hard and ivory with green stripes. The thin skin does not need peeling. Stores 2-3 months in a cool place.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Delicata Squash in Malheur County, OR?

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

What planting zone is Malheur County, OR?

Malheur County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is September 29.

🌱

Your Malheur County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Malheur 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 Malheur County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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