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When to Plant Kabocha in Morris 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.

Morris County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 188 days.

At an elevation of 535 feet, Morris County receives approximately 24.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Morris County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
188 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
188 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Morris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 10

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 895 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kabocha needs ~1,480 GDD — county provides 3,008 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Morris County, KS

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 26

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

188 days

Growing Tips for Morris 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 Morris County, KS?

Morris County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morris County, KS?

Morris County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morris 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 Morris County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.