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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Jerauld County, SD

Winter squash includes butternut, acorn, delicata, and hubbard varieties grown to full maturity with hard rinds for storage. They develop sweet, dense flesh.

Jerauld County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 775 feet, Jerauld County receives approximately 20.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Squash (Winter) to ensure they mature before fall.

Jerauld County, SD (Zone 5a) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Jerauld County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline — Jerauld County, SD

Squash (Winter) 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 8 Aug 8 – Oct 3

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 Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

156 days in Jerauld County

Growing Tips for Jerauld County

Direct sow after last frost on rich mounds. Allow ample space for sprawling vines. Cure harvested fruits in the sun for 10 days before storing in a cool, dry 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 Squash (Winter) in Jerauld County, SD?

Jerauld County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jerauld County, SD?

Jerauld County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 5.

🌱

Your Jerauld County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jerauld County (Zone 5a). 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 Jerauld County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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