vine · direct sow
Winter Squash: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating winter squash a few times a week needs about 1 plants in ~18 sq ft, worth about $18 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$1.50/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1 | ~18 sq ft | ~2 | ~$18 |
| 2 people | 1 | ~18 sq ft | ~2 | ~$18 |
| 4 people | 1 | ~18 sq ft | ~2 | ~$18 |
| 6 people | 1 | ~18 sq ft | ~2 | ~$18 |
Spacing
36" in row · 72" between rows
Sow depth
1"
Days to harvest
95 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Jun 21 – Aug 5 | — |
| Zone 4 | Jun 16 – Jul 31 | — |
| Zone 5 | Jun 6 – Jul 21 | — |
| Zone 6 | May 27 – Jul 11 | — |
| Zone 7 | May 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Zone 8 | May 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Zone 9 | Mar 29 – May 13 | — |
| Zone 10 | Mar 9 – Apr 23 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 12 lbs per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~12 lb).
Watch for
Squash bugs · Squash vine borer · Cucumber beetles · Powdery mildew — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with bush-bean.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
45 kcal · 2 g fiber · 21 mg vitamin C · 352 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.