Blog

When to Plant Acorn Squash in Cochran County, TX

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.

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 4,553 feet, Cochran County receives approximately 45.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°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.

Cochran County, TX (Zone 7b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Cochran County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Acorn Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Cochran County, TX

Acorn Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Aug 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

80–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Cochran County

Growing Tips for Cochran County

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 Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Cochran County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cochran County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cochran County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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