Planting Guides

When to Plant Squash in New York: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 7a

New York, New York

USDA Zone 7a

Last Frost: Apr 15

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Plant squash in New York after April 14 when soil reaches 65°F. Zone 7a's 200-day season supports all squash varieties from compact zucchini to storage butternut.

FFrank Russo

October 30, 2025

When to plant squash in New York - thriving zucchini plants in Zone 7a urban garden — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant squash in New York after April 14 when soil reaches 65°F. Summer squash matures in 45-60 days; winter squash needs 200 days.

TL;DR

Plant squash in New York after April 14 when soil reaches 65°F (18°C). Summer squash like zucchini matures in 45-60 days, while winter squash needs the full 200-day season. Start seeds indoors March 24-31 for transplants, or direct sow May 1-15 for reliable germination.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last date I can plant squash in New York?

For summer squash, plant by July 10 for harvest before frost. Winter squash must be planted by May 15 at the latest to mature before New York's first frost around October 31. Late plantings often fail to fully ripen, resulting in poor storage quality.

Can I grow winter squash in containers in New York?

Yes, but choose compact varieties like Cucurbita pepo 'Acorn' or Cucurbita pepo 'Delicata' in containers at least 30 gallons (114 L). Avoid large vining types like Cucurbita moschata 'Butternut' unless you can provide trellis support and have space for 8-foot vines. Container winter squash requires daily watering and weekly fertilization.

What's the best squash variety for New York balcony gardens?

Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty' zucchini is ideal for balcony growing. This bush variety stays compact at 3-4 feet wide, produces heavily in containers, and matures quickly at 50-55 days. One plant provides enough squash for a family throughout the summer growing season.

How do I know when butternut squash is ready to harvest in New York?

Harvest butternut squash when the stem turns brown and corky, the skin cannot be dented with your fingernail, and the ground spot turns tan or orange. In New York, this typically occurs in mid-to-late October, about 100-110 days after planting. Harvest before hard frost for best storage life.

Should I start squash seeds indoors or direct sow in New York?

Direct sowing is preferred because squash develops sensitive taproots that dislike transplant disturbance. Sow seeds directly in the garden after soil reaches 65°F (18°C), typically May 1-15 in New York. If starting indoors, use biodegradable peat pots planted whole to minimize root disruption.

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Tagged with

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Written By

Frank Russo

Frank retired from the city parks department after 28 years, the last fifteen as a grounds supervisor overseeing park plantings and maintenance crews. He now spends his time volunteering at a local historic garden, maintaining his own half-acre property in the Roxborough neighborhood, and writing about landscape maintenance, seasonal timing, and the practical side of keeping plants healthy through Mid-Atlantic winters and humid summers. Frank knows what works at scale and what's a waste of time—he's planted thousands of trees and shrubs and watched plenty of them fail. His advice tends toward what's proven and durable rather than what's trendy.