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When to Plant Kabocha in Scott 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.

Scott County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 1,044 feet, Scott County receives approximately 25.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Scott County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Scott County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Sep 18

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 708 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kabocha needs ~1,549 GDD — county provides 2,897 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Scott County, KS

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

173 days

Growing Tips for Scott 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 Scott County, KS?

Scott County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Scott County, KS?

Scott County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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