How to Grow Winter Squash (2026)

Watch for squash vine borer; rotate yearly.

Type

Warm-season

USDA zones

3–11

Sun

Full sun

Spacing

36″

Seed depth

1″

Days to harvest

100

Quick answer: Winter Squash is a warm-season crop for zones 3–11 in full sun. Plant after the last frost, space 36″ apart, and expect harvest in about 100 days.

Build your Winter Squash planting card

Pick your state for indoor-start, sow/transplant, and harvest dates you can print.

Your state

In Alabama (zone 7–9, last frost ≈ Mar 15, first frost ≈ Nov 15, 245-day season), your Winter Squash plan:

Start seeds indoors

Feb 1

Sow / transplant outdoors

Mar 29

First harvest

Jul 7

Spacing / depth

36″ / 1″

Watch for squash vine borer; rotate yearly. Suits USDA zones 3–11. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and the 10-day forecast.

Growing tips

Spacing: 36 inches between plants keeps air flowing and limits disease.
Depth: sow seeds about 1″ deep (or set transplants at the same soil line).
Sun: Full sun (6+ hours).
Season: Wait until nights stay above 55°F and soil is warm.

More warm-season crops

Tomato Pepper Green Beans Cucumber Zucchini Basil Marigold Sunflower

Spacing, depth, and days-to-harvest are typical values from university extension guides. Planting dates are computed from typical USDA/extension freeze dates (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) + state cooperative extension typical freeze dates); confirm locally before acting.