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When to Plant Squash (Winter) in Langlade County, WI

Langlade County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

Top priorities for Langlade County, Wisconsin gardeners in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Langlade County, Wisconsin this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

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. Sow squash (winter) where they'll grow

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

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 Squash (Winter) 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

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 – Oct 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Oct 24
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Nov 5

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 Squash (Winter)'s growing requirements.

Soil pH

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

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Squash (Winter).

Organic Matter

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

How to Plant Squash (Winter)

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 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 1.5" 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.

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 ~1,300 GDD — county provides 1,781 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Winter) Planting Timeline — Langlade County, WI

Squash (Winter) 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 24

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

137 days in Langlade County

Growing Tips for Squash (Winter) in Langlade County

Direct sow Squash (Winter) outdoors after May 16 in Langlade 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.

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 Langlade County, WI?

Langlade County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Squash (Winter) 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

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