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When to Plant Crookneck Squash in Davis County, UT

Davis County, Utah Zone 7a May

Your May game plan for Davis County, Utah

A quick May briefing for Davis County, Utah gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 6
Avg. first frost October 10
Soil temp (4") 49°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Time to transplant crookneck squash

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: crookneck squash

    These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.

June prep starts now
  • Starting indoors: crookneck squash

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Yellow crookneck squash is a summer squash with a curved neck and bumpy, bright yellow skin. It has a buttery flavor and is best harvested young when 4-6 inches long.

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 4,567 feet, Davis County receives approximately 16.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Crookneck Squash during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Crookneck Squash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Davis County, UT (Zone 7a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10
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Davis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 13 Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 9

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 Davis County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) overlaps with Crookneck Squash's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Davis County is excellent for Crookneck Squash — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Crookneck Squash.

How to Plant Crookneck Squash

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

Succession Planting Crookneck Squash

4
successive plantings in your 157-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 932 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Crookneck Squash

Crookneck 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 Crookneck Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Crookneck 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.

Crookneck Squash needs ~958 GDD — county provides 2,865 GDD Excellent fit

Crookneck Squash Planting Timeline — Davis County, UT

Crookneck Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Davis County

Growing Tips for Crookneck Squash in Davis County

Direct sow Crookneck Squash outdoors after May 06 in Davis County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 157.0-day season in Davis County allows multiple plantings of Crookneck Squash. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Crookneck Squash in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Davis County receives only 17" of rain annually. Crookneck Squash needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Pick frequently while small for tender texture. Skin becomes tough and warty on larger fruits. Very productive in warm weather.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Crookneck Squash in Davis County, UT?

Davis County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Crookneck Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Davis County, UT?

Davis County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Davis County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Davis County (Zone 7a). 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 Davis County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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