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When to Plant Kabocha in Jessamine County, KY

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.

Jessamine County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 1,644 feet, Jessamine County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kabocha root diseases.

Jessamine County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Jessamine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Kabocha

Kabocha needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Kabocha Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Jessamine County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Jessamine County, KY

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

85โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Jessamine County

Growing Tips for Jessamine 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kabocha in Jessamine County, KY?

Jessamine County is in Zone 6b 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 Jessamine County, KY?

Jessamine County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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