When to plant zucchini / summer squash in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 5 – May 22, with seeds started indoors Apr 7 – Apr 21. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in West Virginia: Jun 9 · Jul 7 · Aug 4
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 West Virginia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Apr 7 – Apr 21). 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 (May 5 – May 22). 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 26 – Jul 11). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | May 5 – May 22 |
| 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 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in West Virginia?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in West Virginia between May 5 and May 22. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in West Virginia?
Start seeds indoors between April 7 and April 21, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 5.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in West Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 3 and July 20, so the crop matures in cool weather before West Virginia's first frost around October 5.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about June 26 to July 11, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.