When to plant winter squash in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Winter Squash needs 80–110 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant winter squash in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 5 – Mar 22, with seeds started indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19. 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 Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 5 – Feb 19). 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 (Mar 5 – Mar 22). 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 May 31 – Jun 30). 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 Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full winter squash growing guide.
Winter Squash planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant winter squash in Louisiana?
Plant winter squash transplants outdoors in Louisiana between March 5 and March 22. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start winter squash seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between February 5 and February 19, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 5.
What is the latest I can plant winter squash in Louisiana?
About August 27. Winter squash needs at least 80 days to mature, and frost around November 15 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will winter squash planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, winter squash is usually ready from about May 31 to June 30, 80-110 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.