When to plant winter squash in Arkansas
Arkansas’s average last spring frost is April 3, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 1 — about 212 frost-free days (USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Winter Squash needs 80–110 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Arkansas's growing season.
When to plant winter squash in Arkansas: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 3 – Apr 20, with seeds started indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow winter squash in Arkansas, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 6 – Mar 20). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 3 – Apr 20). Space plants about 42 inches apart in rows 72 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt.
- Harvest (from about Jun 29 – Jul 29). Winter Squash takes 80-110 days to reach harvest. Needs the whole season - direct sow only where you have 100+ frost-free days. Cure 10 days in warmth after harvest for storage.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Arkansas’s average frost dates. More in the full winter squash growing guide.
Winter Squash planting dates by USDA zone in Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the winter squash dates shift with them.
When to plant winter squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (this page) | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
Questions gardeners in Arkansas ask
When is the best time to plant winter squash in Arkansas?
Plant winter squash transplants outdoors in Arkansas between April 3 and April 20. That timing is set by Arkansas's average last spring frost of April 3.
When should I start winter squash seeds indoors in Arkansas?
Start seeds indoors between March 6 and March 20, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 3.
What is the latest I can plant winter squash in Arkansas?
About August 13. Winter squash needs at least 80 days to mature, and frost around November 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will winter squash planted in Arkansas be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, winter squash is usually ready from about June 29 to July 29, 80-110 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Arkansas?
On average around April 3, with the first fall frost around November 1 - about 212 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.