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Plant Squash (winter) in Zone 12b

Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 12b

Direct sow
Feb 1
Harvest (~95d)
May 7

Zone 12b is effectively frost-free, so the Zone 12b calendar for squash (winter) is set by heat, not cold. There is no last frost to count backward from and no first frost to beat, which means the question is not whether squash (winter) will finish but whether it will sit through the hottest stretch of the year. Squash (winter) is a tender crop needing about 95 days from sowing to harvest.

Fall planting: squash (winter) in Zone 12b

Squash (winter) has no useful fall window in Zone 12b. Winter squash needs too many days to maturity for a second planting outside the tropics.

Winter squash needs too many days to maturity for a second planting outside the tropics.

Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 12b average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.

Spring vs fall squash (winter) in Zone 12b

Planting Sow or start In the ground Harvest
Spring Feb 1 Feb 1 May 7
Fall — — —
Last spring frost
Frost-free
First fall frost
Frost-free
Growing season
365 days

Squash (winter) in nearby zones

Squash (winter) in Zone 12a (colder) Squash (winter) in Zone 13a (warmer) Full Squash (winter) grow guide Zone 12b planting calendar

Further reading on squash (winter)

Other crops in Zone 12b

Tomatoes in Zone 12b Peppers in Zone 12b Cucumbers in Zone 12b Lettuce in Zone 12b Zucchini in Zone 12b Carrots in Zone 12b Beans (bush) in Zone 12b Peas in Zone 12b Broccoli in Zone 12b Spinach in Zone 12b Kale in Zone 12b Onions in Zone 12b Garlic in Zone 12b Potatoes in Zone 12b Corn in Zone 12b Radishes in Zone 12b Beets in Zone 12b Eggplant in Zone 12b Basil in Zone 12b Cilantro in Zone 12b Parsley in Zone 12b Pumpkins in Zone 12b Sunflowers in Zone 12b

Frequently asked questions

When should I start squash (winter) in Zone 12b?

Direct sow outdoors around Feb 1.

Can I direct sow squash (winter) in Zone 12b?

Yes, direct sow around Feb 1.

Can I plant squash (winter) in the fall in Zone 12b?

Squash (winter) has no useful fall window in Zone 12b. Winter squash needs too many days to maturity for a second planting outside the tropics.

Will squash (winter) survive frost in Zone 12b?

No. Squash (winter) is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 12b planting has to finish before the average first frost (Zone 12b rarely sees one).