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SowingDates

When to plant winter squash

Vegetable, tender

Wait 1–2 weeks after the last frost. CSU's germination minimum and the cucurbit sheet's ideal soil are 60°F; Wisconsin's planting minimum for squash is 70°F, and CSU says 2 or more weeks if it is still cool. Keep indoor starts to about 2–4 weeks so transplants stay small, and expect 90–120 days to a hard-skinned fruit.

The general rule

Start indoors
2–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
1–2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
70°F
Days to maturity
90–120 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Winter squash planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsSow outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Dec 26 – Jan 9Jan 30 – Feb 6
Tucson, AZMar 2Feb 2 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 16
Portland, ORMar 21Feb 21 – Mar 7Mar 28 – Apr 4
Baltimore, MDApr 4Mar 7 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 18
New York, NYApr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26
Nashville, TNApr 16Mar 19 – Apr 2Apr 23 – Apr 30
Louisville, KYApr 23Mar 26 – Apr 9Apr 30 – May 7
Omaha, NEMay 6Apr 8 – Apr 22May 13 – May 20
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Apr 17 – May 1May 22 – May 29
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 70°F+).

Sources