When to Plant Calabash in Teller County, CO
Calabash (bottle gourd) is a tropical vine producing edible young fruits used in Asian and African cooking. Mature dried fruits serve as natural containers and utensils.
Teller County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 6,538 feet, Teller County receives approximately 19.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Calabash to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Calabash successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Teller County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-8.1
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Calabash Planting Timeline — Teller County, CO
Calabash Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 25 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Direct Sow | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 8 |
| Harvest | August 17 | Aug 17 – Oct 12 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
80–120 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
USDA Zone
Zone 5a
Growing Season
148 days
Growing Tips for Teller County
Start seeds indoors 4 weeks early. Provide a very strong trellis for heavy fruits. Harvest young for cooking or let mature on the vine for crafts. Requires a long, warm season.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Level Up Your Garden
Calabash in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Calabash in Teller County, CO?
Teller County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Calabash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Teller County, CO?
Teller County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 6.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Teller County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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