The dates for when to plant winter squash can sneak up on you, so don’t let the name fool you. Winter squash is still planted in spring, but it often takes as much as 4 months to be ready for harvest.

Winter squash has a lot of growing to do to become a big healthy vegetable. So when you’re considering when to plant winter squash, plan on starting your seeds indoors in early spring to give them the maximum growth period.

While winter squash has the longest growing season to ripeness, most varieties are also the largest and hardiest of vegetables. Winter squash will last only a few weeks stored in the refrigerator, but most varieties will last 1-2 months stored at a cool and dry room temperature.

We’ve had the hardier varieties, such as Tetsukabuto squash, butternut and spaghetti squash, last through the winter, especially if properly cured and stored.

Mother nature provides for us with winter squash, a long-lasting, nutrient-rich vegetable (fruit), to help get us through the winter.

When to Plant Winter Squash

Plant winter squash after the last spring frost.

For the longest growing season especially if you’re in colder regions, start seeds indoors before transplanting seedlings to garden beds.

What Month to Plant Winter Squash?

Depending on your region’s climate and the USDA growing zone, winter squash is planted between April and July (for warmer regions with a mild and late fall).

When to Start Winter Squash Seeds Indoors

Start winter squash seeds indoors in peat pots 3-4 weeks before the last average frost date for your area.

We’re in North Carolina, USDA Grow Zone 7a. In 2021, our last average frost date is April 7th, so we can start our seeds indoors or in the greenhouse around the second week of March to be ready for planting in the garden in mid April.

When to Plant Winter Squash for Your Zone

Plant winter squash seeds or seedlings in the ground after the last frost and when soil and air temperatures are around 66°F / 18.9°C.

You can test soil temps using a laser thermometer or soil thermometer.

How To Find Last Frost Dates for Your Area and Grow Zone

You can quickly find the last frost date for your area here. This cool tool will immediately calculate and show your estimated last frost date for spring as well as the first frost date for fall by zip code. This is linked to the nearest weather station for your zip code, so it really hones in on your specific area based on weather history and meteorological projections.

If you like numbers and spreadsheets and want to know what percentage chance of freeze per area by date, then check out this more extensive and specific frost date resource.

How Long Does Winter Squash Grow

The exact time varies by variety and growing conditions, such as sunlight, heat and water. However the average growing range for winter squash is 3-4 months, with the shortest growers at around 85 days.

Planting Winter Squash

Winter squash seeds and seedlings are very sensitive to cold. Plant winter squash after the last frost and when soil and air temps are close to 66°F / 18.9°C.

In areas with longer growing seasons, such as USDA growing Zone 6 and higher, you can plant more winter squash seedlings in early summer. It works great to plant winter squash in beds where you’ve harvested early spring lettuce crops such as garlic, lettuce, broccoli and kale.

Unless you’re growing in a greenhouse, stop planting winter squash 14 weeks before the first fall frost date for your area.

Benefits of Winter Squash and Why You’ll Want to Grow It

Winter squash has high food value with many benefits that make these is a gardener’s favorite.

• Healthy
• Nutrient rich
• Delicious
• Versatile for sweet and savory uses
• Good in:
  • salads
  • soups
  • casseroles – like this mac and cheese butternut casserole
  • pies
  • roasted
  • steamed
• Long storage period – a long-lasting food that can feed your family through the winter
• Large vegetables (actually fruits) many of which are large enough to feed a family for several meals

Popular Winter Squash Varieties – Average Growing Days

Listed Alphabetically

• Acorn squash – 90 days
• Banana squash – 105 days
• Blue Hubbard squash – 110 days
• Buttercup squash – 100 days
• Butternut squash – 105 days
• Candy roaster squash – 100 days
• Delicata squash – 100 days
• Goldilock acorn squash – 85 days
• Pumpkin – 110 days
• Spaghetti Squash – 85 days
• Sweet Dumpling squash – 90 days

Squash, is of the Cucurbita genus of flowering plants in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, which includes pumpkin as well as the summer squashes.

These vegetables that are actually a fruit are fantastic foods to grow and enjoy. May they grow well for you! We’d love to hear what you’re growing and any challenges you have or have overcome as well as any tips from successes.