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When to Plant Delicata Squash in Langlade County, WI

Langlade County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

This month in Langlade County, Wisconsin

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 16
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 53°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Scatter delicata squash into prepared beds

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

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: delicata squash
  • Starting indoors: delicata squash

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Delicata squash is a winter squash with an edible skin and sweet, creamy orange flesh. Its compact vines make it suitable for smaller gardens.

Langlade County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. 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 1,377 feet, Langlade County receives approximately 35 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Delicata Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Langlade County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30
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Langlade County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 15

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 Langlade County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.2) overlaps with Delicata Squash's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Delicata Squash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Delicata Squash will thrive.

How to Plant Delicata Squash

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Delicata Squash

Delicata 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 Delicata Squash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Delicata 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.

Delicata Squash needs ~1,170 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Excellent fit

Delicata Squash Planting Timeline — Langlade County, WI

Delicata Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 – Jun 20
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 – Jun 20
Harvest August 29 Aug 29 – Oct 3

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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Langlade County

Growing Tips for Delicata Squash in Langlade County

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

Common pests for Delicata 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 on mounds. Harvest when skin is hard and ivory with green stripes. The thin skin does not need peeling. Stores 2-3 months in a cool 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 Delicata Squash in Langlade County, WI?

Langlade County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Delicata Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Langlade County, WI?

Langlade County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Langlade County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Langlade County (Zone 4b). 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 Langlade County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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