Growing Squash (Winter) in Zone 8A

Winter squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti) needs a long growing season but stores for months after harvest.

Zone 8A enjoys a long growing season. You can often get two plantings of cool-season crops (spring and fall).

Top Growing Tips

• Needs 80-110 days of warm weather to mature
• Plant in hills with 4-6 feet between them
• Cure in the sun for 10 days after harvest for long storage
• Mulch to keep fruit off wet soil and prevent rot
• Don’t harvest until the stem begins to dry and the skin is hard

Companion Planting

Good companions: corn, beans, radishes, marigolds

Avoid planting near: potatoes

Harvest Timeline

80-110 days from seed

About Zone 8A

USDA Hardiness Zone 8A has an average last spring frost around Mar 20 and first fall frost around Nov 10. All planting dates above are calculated from these frost dates. Your specific location may vary — check with your local extension office for the most accurate dates.