Growing summer squash: timing, spacing and costs by zone
When to plant summer squash in Zones 6–9, spacing, and what to know before you commit ground.
Not yet expert-reviewed. Written by BAU Farm Intelligence from public extension and agency sources. Check dates and program details with your local extension office.
When to plant
Summer squash: warm-season, will not take a frost. Plant when soil reaches 70–90°F. Dates below are averages worked out from each zone's frost dates — check your own field.
- Zone 6b (Boone NC): seed May 1 – May 22; fall planting July 30 – August 20. First picking around June 27 – July 25.
- Zone 7b (Raleigh): seed April 15 – May 6; fall planting August 13 – September 3. First picking around June 11 – July 9.
- Zone 8b (Charleston SC): seed March 22 – April 12; fall planting September 6 – September 27. First picking around May 18 – June 15.
- Zone 9a (Gainesville FL): seed March 4 – March 25; fall planting September 22 – October 13. First picking around April 30 – May 28.
Setting it up
Direct-seed in the field. Space plants 24 inches apart in rows 48 inches apart, about 1 inch deep. Expect roughly 50 days to first harvest.
Field notes
Scout for squash bugs and squash vine borer weekly starting at bloom. Row cover until first female flower.
How it fits each zone
- Zone 6b: good — Summer squash is frost-tender, so timing the outdoor transplant to the last frost matters more here than in warmer zones. Row cover buys 2 weeks of head start.
- Zone 7b: excellent — Summer squash is well suited to Zone 7b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
- Zone 8b: excellent — Summer squash is well suited to Zone 8b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
- Zone 9a: excellent — Summer squash is well suited to Zone 9a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
What it costs per acre
- 2025 Squash on Bareground Budget (University of Georgia CAES — Agricultural & Applied Economics, 2025): about $3,334 per acre in transcribed costs.
These are published budgets, not your costs. Plug your own numbers into the breakeven calculator before you commit ground.
Before you plant
Line up who will buy it and at what price before seed goes in the ground. See the planting calendar for your exact zone.