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Can You Grow Winter Squash in Colorado?
US · USDA Zone 5b · zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.
Plant zones
Colorado last frost
Colorado first frost
Days to harvest
When to plant Winter Squashes in Colorado
Start indoors
Transplant
Harvest
Dates are approximate, based on Colorado's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.
About Winter Squash
Winter squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti) are the long-storing hard-skinned squash you plant in spring and harvest in fall. Vigorous, sprawling, and highly productive.
Direct sow or start indoors 4 weeks before last frost; transplant after frost. Give vines room (6-8 ft) or a trellis. Harvest when skin is hard and you can't dent it with a fingernail. Cure in a warm place for 1-2 weeks for long storage.
Gardening in Colorado
Colorado has a semi-arid mountain climate with intense sunshine and low humidity. Front Range cities like Denver are Zone 5-6; higher elevations are Zones 3-4.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow Winter Squash in Colorado?
Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.
What zone is Colorado?
Colorado spans USDA Zone 5b (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).
When do you plant Winter Squashes in Colorado?
Plant Winter Squashes around early April (start indoors Mar 10), harvest Jul 6 – Aug 5.