When to Plant Acorn Squash in Clark County, WA
Your May gardening checklist
Each item below is timed to Clark County, Washington's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Time to start acorn squash inside
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
Acorn squash is a small winter squash with dark green, ribbed skin and mildly sweet orange flesh. It is perfect for stuffing and roasting as individual servings.
Clark County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.
At an elevation of 482 feet, Clark County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Acorn Squash during the growing season.
Clark County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Clark County
How your county's soil matches Acorn Squash's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.3) overlaps with Acorn Squash's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Clark County is excellent for Acorn Squash — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Acorn Squash.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Acorn Squash will thrive.
How to Plant Acorn Squash
Succession Planting Acorn Squash
Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Acorn Squash
Acorn Squash needs approximately 1.1 inches of water per week (4.8" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Acorn Squash Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 5.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.8" | 2.6" | 2.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.8" | 2.5" | 2.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.8" | 1.7" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.8" | 0.6" | 4.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.8" | 0.8" | 4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.8" | 1.5" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.8" | 3.1" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 5.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 7.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clark County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Acorn 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.
Acorn Squash Planting Timeline — Clark County, WA
Acorn Squash Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 28 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Direct Sow | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 12 |
| Harvest | July 21 | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
80–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
196 days in Clark County
Growing Tips for Acorn Squash in Clark County
Direct sow Acorn Squash outdoors after April 14 in Clark County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Acorn Squash in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when the ground spot turns orange and the skin is hard. Acorn squash has a shorter storage life than butternut, lasting about 2 months.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Acorn Squash in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Acorn Squash in Clark County, WA?
Clark County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Acorn Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Clark County, WA?
Clark County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.
Your Clark County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Clark 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.