When to plant winter squash in Texas
Texas spans USDA zones 7a–10a, so the right time to plant winter squash shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 15 in Edinburg to April 28 in Dumas — below are local dates for 267 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 9b | February 2 | December 25 | February 9 – February 23 |
| San Antonio | 9a | February 25 | November 28 | March 4 – March 18 |
| Dallas | 8b | March 2 | November 29 | March 9 – March 23 |
| Austin | 9a | February 20 | December 3 | February 27 – March 13 |
| Fort Worth | 8b | March 5 | November 24 | March 12 – March 26 |
| El Paso | 8b | March 2 | November 20 | March 9 – March 23 |
| Arlington | 8b | March 9 | November 21 | March 16 – March 30 |
| Corpus Christi | 10a | January 22 | January 4 | January 29 – February 12 |
Winter Squash in Texas: FAQ
When can I plant winter squash in Texas?
Across Texas, the time to direct-sow winter squash spans roughly January 15 in Edinburg to April 28 in Dumas, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the winter squash planting date vary across Texas?
Yes. Texas publishes 267 cities with their own frost dates, so the right winter squash planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does winter squash take to grow in Texas?
Winter Squash takes about 85–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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