When to plant zucchini / squash
Short answer
Plant zucchini / squash about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22, starting seeds indoors about Mar 25. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Dec 25 | Jan 22 | Mar 13 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 25 | Feb 22 | Apr 13 |
| Zone 3 | Feb 17 | Mar 17 | May 6 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 9 | Apr 6 | May 26 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 25 | Apr 22 | Jun 11 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 9 | May 7 | Jun 26 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 24 | May 22 | Jul 11 |
| Zone 8 | May 11 | Jun 8 | Jul 28 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Zucchini / squash is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for zucchini / squash
When to plant zucchini / squash comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Zucchini / squash is a tender crop, so it goes in about 1 week after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 3 weeks before your last spring frost (around Mar 25 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 50 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for zucchini / squash ranges from about Mar 17 in warm zone 3 to May 22 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Zucchini / squash is tender — it waits until the soil warms after frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 3 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 50 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Needs warm soil — cold, wet ground stunts or rots it |
How zucchini / squash compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Zucchini / squash | Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing zucchini / squash
- Don't rush zucchini / squash outside — cold soil stalls it. Wait until after your last spring frost and, ideally, until nights stay mild.
- Give zucchini / squash a 3 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 50 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for zucchini / squash dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant zucchini / squash?
Plant zucchini / squash about 1 week after your last spring frost. That's around Apr 6 in zone 4 and May 7 in zone 6.
When do I start zucchini / squash seeds indoors?
Start zucchini / squash seeds indoors about 3 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Apr 9 in zone 6.
How long until zucchini / squash is ready to harvest?
About 50 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, zucchini / squash planted around May 7 is typically ready near Jun 26.