When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Kentucky
Kentucky’s average last spring frost is April 18, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 185 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Kentucky's growing season.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Kentucky: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 18 – May 5, with seeds started indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Kentucky: May 23 · Jun 20 · Jul 18 · Aug 15
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 zucchini / summer squash in Kentucky, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 21 – Apr 4). 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 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 18 – May 5). Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 42 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, aphids. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Jun 9 – Jun 24). Zucchini / Summer Squash takes 45-60 days to reach harvest. One or two plants feed a household. A second sowing in early-mid summer dodges the first vine borer generation.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Kentucky’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (this page) | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 5 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Kentucky ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in Kentucky?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in Kentucky between April 18 and May 5. That timing is set by Kentucky's average last spring frost of April 18.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in Kentucky?
Start seeds indoors between March 21 and April 4, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 18.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in Kentucky?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 18 and August 4, so the crop matures in cool weather before Kentucky's first frost around October 20.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in Kentucky be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about June 9 to June 24, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
On average around April 18, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 185 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.