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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Millard County, UT

Millard County, Utah Zone 6a May

Top priorities for Millard County, Utah gardeners in May

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Millard County, Utah.

Avg. last frost May 16
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 38°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant hubbard 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: hubbard squash

    Rake a smooth bed, make a shallow furrow, drop seeds at the spacing on the packet, water gently, walk away.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Starting indoors: hubbard squash

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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.

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 6,525 feet, Millard County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Hubbard Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Millard County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30
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Millard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 8
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 12 – Oct 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 5 Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Oct 6 – Nov 10

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 Millard County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–8.0) is more alkaline than Hubbard Squash prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Hubbard Squash.

How to Plant Hubbard Squash

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 387 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Hubbard Squash

Hubbard 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 Hubbard Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Hubbard 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.

Hubbard Squash needs ~1,430 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Good fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline — Millard County, UT

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25
Transplant Outdoors May 30 May 30 – Jun 13
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 – Jun 13
Harvest September 12 Sep 12 – Oct 17

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
August
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Millard County

Growing Tips for Hubbard Squash in Millard County

Direct sow Hubbard Squash outdoors after May 16 in Millard County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Millard County receives only 24" of rain annually. Hubbard Squash needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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 Millard County, UT?

Millard County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Millard County, UT?

Millard County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Millard County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Millard County (Zone 6a). 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 Millard 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.