Growing winter squash in zone 6b
(Zone 6b = an average winter low of -5°F to 0°F.)
In USDA zone 6b, the typical last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22. Here is when to plant winter squash against those dates.
Typical timing
Zone 6b planting schedule
Evidence trail
How these dates are built
Sprout applies the cited planting offsets to the typical zone 6b frost anchors. The result is a planning baseline for the zone, not a local weather forecast.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023USDA Agricultural Research Service / Oregon State University PRISM Group. Supports the USDA hardiness-zone band.
- U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Supports the median spring and fall freeze dates.
- Pumpkins & Winter Squash (HGIC 1318)Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports direct-sowing timing (normalized).
Method note
Direct-sow timing (after all danger of frost, soil above 60F), seed depth, vining and bush spacing, soil pH (6.2 to 6.5), problem list. Days to maturity given only for pumpkins on this page, so it is omitted here. Water given only as a 6-inch soak depth, so inches per week is omitted.
These are zone 6b averages
Computed from 5,242 ZIP codes in zone 6b. Your town's frost dates vary; enter your ZIP for dates built on your nearest weather station.
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Put these dates to work
The plant profile covers spacing, light, water, soil, and source-backed timing details.