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Can You Grow Winter Squash in Texas?
US · USDA Zone 8a · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.
Plant zones
Texas last frost
Texas first frost
Days to harvest
When to plant Winter Squashes in Texas
Start indoors
Transplant
Harvest
Dates are approximate, based on Texas'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 Texas
Texas spans more climate zones than any state except California — from Zone 6 in the Texas Panhandle to Zone 9b in the Rio Grande Valley. Most Texans garden in Zone 7-8 with hot long summers.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow Winter Squash in Texas?
Winter squash grows well here with warm summers — it needs heat to mature and set fruit.
What zone is Texas?
Texas spans USDA Zone 8a (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).
When do you plant Winter Squashes in Texas?
Plant Winter Squashes around mid-February (start indoors Jan 18), harvest May 16 – Jun 15.