Zone 10 · Squash Growing Guide

When to Plant Acorn Squash
in Zone 10

Compact winter squash with ribbed dark green skin. More manageable vines than butternut. Harvest when fully black-green and the stem dries out. Stores 2–3 months.

Plant outdoors
Feb 1 – Mar 1
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~Jan 15
Days to harvest
75–90 days
Difficulty
Easy
Growing — Zone 10
Harvest window: May – Jul

Planting Calendar

In Zone 10, Acorn Squash should be planted outdoors Feb 1 – Mar 1, after the average last frost date of approximately Jan 15.

Spring crop only. Heat makes fall planting difficult.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Moderate
Spacing
36–48 inches
Soil
Rich, well-draining, compost-amended
Days to maturity
75–90 days
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
plant tip · Zone 10

Spring crop only. Heat makes fall planting difficult.

Feeding Schedule

How often
monthly
Feed type
balanced then high potassium
Key timing
switch to high-potassium when fruit sets

Moderate feeder. Compost at planting plus 2-3 feeds during the season is sufficient.

Companion Planting for Acorn Squash

What you plant next to acorn squash makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Nasturtiums
Keep away from
  • Potatoes
  • Brassicas
  • Fennel

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Common questions

In Zone 10, direct sow acorn squash outdoors Feb 1 – Mar 1 after your last frost date of approximately Jan 15. Spring crop only. Heat makes fall planting difficult.
Zone 10 has an average last spring frost of approximately Jan 15 and a first fall frost around Dec 31. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for acorn squash include Beans, Corn, Nasturtiums. Avoid planting near Potatoes, Brassicas, Fennel, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Acorn Squash typically takes 75–90 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 10. Expected harvest window: May – Jul.

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Acorn Squash in other zones
Crop Guides