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When to Plant Butternut Squash in Falls County, TX

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.

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 66 feet, Falls County receives approximately 66.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Butternut Squash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Butternut Squash, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Butternut Squash root diseases.

Falls County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Falls County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Butternut Squash Planting Timeline — Falls County, TX

Butternut Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 14
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Aug 4

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

241 days in Falls County

Growing Tips for Falls 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

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Butternut Squash in Falls County, TX?

Falls County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Butternut Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Falls County, TX?

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 13.

🌱

Your Falls County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Falls 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 Falls County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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