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When to Plant Kabocha in Wilson 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.

Wilson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 595 feet, Wilson County receives approximately 32.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Wilson County, KS (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Wilson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 1

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 698 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 3,216 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Wilson County, KS

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Aug 18

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 6b

Growing Season

201 days

Growing Tips for Wilson 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 Wilson County, KS?

Wilson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wilson County, KS?

Wilson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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