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When to Plant Kabocha in Grant 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.

Grant County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 689 feet, Grant County receives approximately 24.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kabocha to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 1 Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Sep 2 – Sep 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Sep 10 – Oct 8

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 463 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Kabocha needs ~925 GDD — county provides 1,450 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, NE

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 17
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 17
Harvest September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

145 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, NE?

Grant County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, NE?

Grant County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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