When to Plant Squash in Arizona

Growing Squash in Arizona: Complete Guide

Squash (Cucurbita moschata) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Arizona, the right time to direct sow is around Sunday, December 14, 2025, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Arizona stretches across 10 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Squash fits comfortably within Arizona's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Squash requires full sun (6-8 hours) and regular (1 inch/week) moisture. In the arid Southwest, intense sun and low humidity mean irrigation is essential; mulch to prevent rapid soil moisture loss.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Arizona.