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When to Plant Kabocha in Chase County, KS

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.

Chase County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 613 feet, Chase County receives approximately 31.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Chase County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Chase County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 8

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 654 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kabocha needs ~1,619 GDD — county provides 3,395 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Chase County, KS

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 11
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 6a

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Chase 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 Chase County, KS?

Chase County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chase County, KS?

Chase County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chase County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Chase County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.