When to Plant Butternut Squash in Wasco County, OR
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.
Wasco County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.
At an elevation of 432 feet, Wasco County receives approximately 35.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Butternut Squash to ensure they mature before fall.
Wasco County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Butternut Squash Planting Timeline — Wasco County, OR
Butternut Squash Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 7 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Direct Sow | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 21 |
| Harvest | August 6 | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors 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
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
85–110 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
172 days in Wasco County
Growing Tips for Wasco 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Butternut Squash in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Butternut Squash in Wasco County, OR?
Wasco County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wasco County, OR?
Wasco County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 12.
Your Wasco County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Wasco County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.