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When to Plant Kabocha in Broward County, FL

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.

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 1 and the first fall frost is December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.

At an elevation of 209 feet, Broward County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Kabocha will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kabocha root diseases.

Broward County, FL (Zone 10b) Year-round
364 days
Last Spring Frost January 1
364 growing days
First Fall Frost December 31

Broward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5.1-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19

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

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,954 gal / 100 sq ft
Kabocha needs ~1,827 GDD — county provides 7,208 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Broward County, FL

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 4 Dec 4 โ€“ Dec 18
Transplant Outdoors January 8 Jan 8 โ€“ Jan 22
Direct Sow January 1 Jan 1 โ€“ Jan 22
Harvest April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ May 7

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December Start Indoors

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

85โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 10b

Growing Season

364 days

Growing Tips for Broward County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kabocha in Broward County, FL?

Broward County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of January 1. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Broward County, FL?

Broward County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 1 and first fall frost is December 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Broward County gardeners in Zone 10b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Broward County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.