When to plant Winter squash in Oregon, United States

Winter squash can be planted after June 21, when air temperature is consistently in a range between 50°F and 95°F and soil temperature is above 45°F.

Growing Winter squash in Oregon

Oregon has on average 90 continious days, suitable for growing Winter squash. Winter squash needs on average between 80 and 110 days to mature and produce harvest.

Growing season for Winter squash in Oregon is quite short, with only 90 continious days suitable for growing, so it is really important to time your planting activities, and choose varieties with shorter time to harvest requirements.

Winter squash seeds can be planted between June 21 and June 30. Planting before June 21 without any additional protection is not advised because cold streaks can damage or kill off young plant. When planting after June 30, Winter squash will not have enough time to mature and produce harvest.

Growing season extention

In order to maximize chances for a good harvest of Winter squash in Oregon, some extra steps can be taken to extend growing season.

Start seeds indoors

When starting seeds indoors, it is possible to guarantee best possible conditions for young seedlings. Consistent temperature range, adequate watering and ample light (natural, supplemented with artifitial grow lights) will ensure you have strong and healthy seedlings just in time for transplanting into soil.

It takes 28 days on average for Winter squash to sprout, and grow big enough to be ready for transplanting.

June 21 is on average first day in Oregon that has required temperatures for young Winter squash seedlings to grow, without worrying about cold damage.

Seeds can be started indoors beween May 24 and May 31, this way they will be ready just in time for transplanting on June 21.

Seedlings started after May 31 might not have enough time to mature and produce harvest.

Use a cold frame

When using a cold frame in a beggining of growing season You can protect young plants from possible temperature drops, this way growing season can start up to 2 weeks earlier.

Use an additional shading

On days, when air temperatures are expected to raise above 95°F, which is in top of tolerable range for Winter squash, consider using additional shading to prevent heat shock.

Table with days suitable to grow vegetables in Oregon

For more precise weather statisctics and planting information, please select a County in Oregon.

• Baker County

• Benton County

• Clackamas County

• Clatsop County

• Columbia County

• Coos County

• Crook County

• Curry County

• Deschutes County

• Douglas County

• Gilliam County

• Grant County

• Harney County

• Hood River County

• Jackson County

• Jefferson County

• Josephine County

• Klamath County

• Lake County

• Lane County

• Lincoln County

• Linn County

• Malheur County

• Marion County

• Morrow County

• Multnomah County

• Polk County

• Sherman County

• Tillamook County

• Umatilla County

• Union County

• Wallowa County

• Wasco County

• Washington County

• Wheeler County

• Yamhill County