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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Sevier County, UT

Sevier County, Utah Zone 6a May

This month in Sevier County, Utah

Each item below is timed to Sevier County, Utah's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 19
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 34°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Plant squash (winter) from seed, right in the garden

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • Transplants going out: squash (winter)
  • Starting indoors: squash (winter)

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Winter squash includes butternut, acorn, delicata, and hubbard varieties grown to full maturity with hard rinds for storage. They develop sweet, dense flesh.

Sevier County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 8,049 feet, Sevier County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Squash (Winter) during the growing season.

Sevier County, UT (Zone 6a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Sevier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 7 Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Sep 17 – Nov 12

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 Sevier County

How your county's soil matches Squash (Winter)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–8.0) is more alkaline than Squash (Winter) prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Sevier County is excellent for Squash (Winter) — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Squash (Winter).

How to Plant Squash (Winter)

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 507 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Squash (Winter)

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

Month Squash (Winter) Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Squash (Winter) 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.

Squash (Winter) needs ~1,600 GDD — county provides 2,144 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline — Sevier County, UT

Squash (Winter) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 – Jun 16
Harvest August 25 Aug 25 – Oct 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

134 days in Sevier County

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter) in Sevier County

Direct sow Squash (Winter) outdoors after May 19 in Sevier County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Sevier County receives only 21" of rain annually. Squash (Winter) needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost on rich mounds. Allow ample space for sprawling vines. Cure harvested fruits in the sun for 10 days before storing in a cool, dry place.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Winter) in Sevier County, UT?

Sevier County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Squash (Winter) planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sevier County, UT?

Sevier County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Sevier County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Sevier 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 Sevier 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.