Blog

When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Hamilton County, TX

Hubbard squash is a large, bumpy-skinned winter squash with dense, sweet, dry flesh ideal for baking and pies. The hard shell allows storage for 6 months or more.

Hamilton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 4,378 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 65.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Hubbard Squash during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Hubbard Squash, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Hubbard Squash root diseases.

Hamilton County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline — Hamilton County, TX

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

239 days in Hamilton County

Growing Tips for Hamilton County

Start seeds indoors in short-season areas. Requires ample space and rich soil. Harvest when the skin is very hard and the color is deep. Cure in the sun before storing.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hubbard Squash in Hamilton County, TX?

Hamilton County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, TX?

Hamilton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Hamilton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hamilton 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.

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 Hamilton 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.