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Can You Grow Winter Squash in Kentucky?

US · USDA Zone 6b · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a

Grows well here

Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.

Plant zones

3a–10b

Kentucky last frost

mid-March

Kentucky first frost

mid-November

Days to harvest

90–120 days

When to plant Winter Squashes in Kentucky

Start indoors

Feb 14

Transplant

Mar 15

Harvest

Jun 13 – Jul 13

Dates are approximate, based on Kentucky'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.

Full winter squash growing guide →

Gardening in Kentucky

Kentucky has a humid continental climate transitioning to subtropical in the south. Long warm summers support tomatoes, peppers, and most common vegetables. Tobacco country.