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When to Plant Acorn Squash in Angelina County, TX

Angelina County, Texas Zone 8b April

April in the garden — Angelina County, Texas

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

Avg. last frost March 5
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 12.8 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: acorn squash

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

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Acorn squash is a small winter squash with dark green, ribbed skin and mildly sweet orange flesh. It is perfect for stuffing and roasting as individual servings.

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 32 feet, Angelina County receives approximately 63.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Acorn Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Acorn Squash will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Acorn Squash root diseases.

Angelina County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Angelina County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12

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 Angelina County

How your county's soil matches Acorn Squash's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.6) overlaps with Acorn Squash's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Angelina County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Acorn Squash will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Acorn Squash.

How to Plant Acorn Squash

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

Succession Planting Acorn Squash

3
successive plantings in your 256-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.1″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 148 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week (4.8" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Acorn Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.8" 4.2" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.8" 6.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.8" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.8" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.8" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.8" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.8" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.8" 3.9" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.8" 1.9" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Acorn Squash 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.

Acorn Squash needs ~1,912 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Angelina County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 – Apr 2
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Angelina County

Growing Tips for Acorn Squash in Angelina County

Direct sow Acorn Squash outdoors after March 05 in Angelina County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Angelina County dries quickly — mulch Acorn Squash with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Acorn Squash 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. Harvest when the ground spot turns orange and the skin is hard. Acorn squash has a shorter storage life than butternut, lasting about 2 months.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Acorn Squash in Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Angelina County, TX?

Angelina County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 16.

🌱

Your Angelina County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Angelina County (Zone 8b). 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 Angelina County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.