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When to Plant Kabocha in Deuel County, NE

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.

Deuel County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 1,096 feet, Deuel County receives approximately 22.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kabocha to ensure they mature before fall.

Deuel County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Deuel County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Sep 8 – Oct 6

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 648 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kabocha needs ~1,133 GDD — county provides 1,911 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Deuel County, NE

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 21

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 4b

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Deuel 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 Deuel County, NE?

Deuel County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Deuel County, NE?

Deuel County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Deuel County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Deuel County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.