When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Virginia
Virginia’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 188 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Virginia's growing season.
Virginia covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 15 – May 2, with seeds started indoors Mar 18 – Apr 1. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Virginia: May 20 · Jun 17 · Jul 15 · Aug 12
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 Virginia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 18 – Apr 1). 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 15 – May 2). 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 6 – Jun 21). 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 Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 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 zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this page) | April 15 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 20 – May 7 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 1 – May 18 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 5 – May 22 |
Questions gardeners in Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in Virginia?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in Virginia between April 15 and May 2. That timing is set by Virginia's average last spring frost of April 15; Virginia spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in Virginia?
Start seeds indoors between March 18 and April 1, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 15.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 18 and August 4, so the crop matures in cool weather before Virginia's first frost around October 20.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about June 6 to June 21, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 188 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.