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Can You Grow Winter Squash in Minnesota?
US · USDA Zone 4a · zones 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b
Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.
Plant zones
Minnesota last frost
Minnesota first frost
Days to harvest
When to plant Winter Squashes in Minnesota
Start indoors
Transplant
Harvest
Dates are approximate, based on Minnesota'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 Minnesota
Minnesota has a cold humid continental climate. The Twin Cities are Zone 4b-5a; northern Minnesota reaches Zone 2b-3a. Cold winters but warm productive summers.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow Winter Squash in Minnesota?
Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.
What zone is Minnesota?
Minnesota spans USDA Zone 4a (2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b).
When do you plant Winter Squashes in Minnesota?
Plant Winter Squashes around late April (start indoors Mar 28), harvest Jul 24 – Aug 23.