Kabocha Planting Guide
Kabocha is a Japanese winter squash with an exceptionally sweet, dense, chestnut-like flesh and dark green skin. It is a favorite in Asian cuisine for its rich, dry texture.
Cucurbita maxima · Vegetable · Cucurbitaceae family · 85–100 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Kabocha Planting Dates
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Where Can You Grow Kabocha?
Kabocha Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Kabocha planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 24 | May 31 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | May 20 | May 27 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | May 15 | May 22 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | May 2 | May 9 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jul 17 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 25 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | Jul 8 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 18 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | Jul 1 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 8 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | Jun 21 – Jul 19 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 28 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Jun 10 – Jul 8 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | May 19 – Jun 16 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | May 3 – May 31 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 7 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 7 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 7 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Apr 9 – May 7 |
How to Plant Kabocha
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
85–100 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Kabocha to Grow
Kabocha takes 85–100 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Kabocha
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Kabocha
Direct sow after frost or start indoors. Harvest when the skin is hard and dull. The stem should be dry and corky. Stores well for 3-4 months in a cool, dry place.
Saving Kabocha Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Kabocha by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Kabocha?
Kabocha (Cucurbita maxima) takes 85 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Kabocha grow in?
Kabocha can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Kabocha need?
Growing Kabocha requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.