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When to Plant Kabocha in Grant County, OK

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, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 564 feet, Grant County receives approximately 25.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Grant County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 3

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.

Soil Compatibility in Grant County

How your county's soil matches Kabocha's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) is within Kabocha's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Grant County is excellent for Kabocha โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Kabocha.

How to Plant Kabocha

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 973 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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€” 0.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

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

Kabocha Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Kabocha needs ~1,549 GDD — county provides 3,333 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, OK

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 9
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Aug 22

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

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

85โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

199 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Kabocha in Grant County

Direct sow Kabocha outdoors after April 11 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Kabocha in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Grant County, OK?

Grant County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OK?

Grant County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.