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When to Plant Kabocha in Accomack County, VA

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.

Accomack County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 659 feet, Accomack County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Accomack County, VA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Accomack County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Sep 17

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 35 gal / 100 sq ft
Kabocha needs ~1,549 GDD — county provides 3,266 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline โ€” Accomack County, VA

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 30 Jul 30 โ€“ Aug 27

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 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 7b

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Accomack 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 Accomack County, VA?

Accomack County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Accomack County, VA?

Accomack County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Accomack County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Accomack County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.