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When to Plant Hubbard Squash in Trempealeau County, WI

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin Zone 4b May

What to do in May

Welcome to May in Zone 4b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost May 15
Avg. first frost September 30
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. 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.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Transplants going out: hubbard squash
  • 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.

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Trempealeau County receives approximately 39.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Hubbard Squash to ensure they mature before fall.

Trempealeau County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30
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Trempealeau County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Sep 12 – Oct 17
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Sep 18 – Oct 23
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Sep 25 – Oct 30

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 Trempealeau County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.2) overlaps with Hubbard Squash's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Hubbard Squash will thrive.

How to Plant Hubbard Squash

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

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 2.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Trempealeau 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 ~1,182 GDD — county provides 1,483 GDD Good fit

Hubbard Squash Planting Timeline — Trempealeau County, WI

Hubbard Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 17
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 – Jun 19
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 – Jun 19
Harvest September 18 Sep 18 – Oct 23

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
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

138 days in Trempealeau County

Growing Tips for Hubbard Squash in Trempealeau County

Direct sow Hubbard Squash outdoors after May 15 in Trempealeau 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.

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 Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Hubbard Squash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Trempealeau County, WI?

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 30.

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Your Trempealeau County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau 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.