Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Squash (Summer)

Zucchini and yellow squash are the garden's most generous producers. You'll be sharing with neighbors by midsummer.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

1-2 inches per week

Days to Harvest

45-65

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

36"

Frost Tolerance

none

The Short Answer

Squash (Summer) are frost-sensitive and need warm soil and air temperatures to thrive. Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outside 2 weeks after your last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F. You can also direct sow seeds 2 weeks after your last frost. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Squash (Summer)

Summer squash is the embarrassment-of-riches crop — two or three plants produce more than most families can eat. The secret is harvesting young: pick zucchini at 6-8 inches and yellow squash at similar size for the best flavor and texture. Left on the vine, they become baseball bats overnight. Squash vine borer is the most devastating pest — watch for sawdust-like frass at the base of stems from June onward. Some growers wrap the lower 6 inches of stem in aluminum foil to prevent egg-laying. Succession planting a second round in early July provides insurance against borer losses.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin squash (summer) seeds indoors 3 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 60°F to germinate, which typically takes 5-7 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 2 weeks after your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 60°F. Harden off seedlings for 5 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Direct Sowing

Squash (Summer) can be direct sown 2 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 1" deep, spaced 36" apart.

Growing Tips

Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor. Larger squash become seedy and tough.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Corn Beans Nasturtiums

Keep away from:

Potatoes

Squash (Summer) Planting Dates by State

Click your state for squash (summer) planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026