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When to plant Calabash in Worth County County,

Plant Calabash in Worth County County after March 7; the prime window is March 7–March 28.

When to Plant Calabash in Worth County, GA

Worth County, Georgia Zone 9a June

Your June planting checklist for Worth County, Georgia

Your garden in Worth County, Georgia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost March 7
Avg. first frost November 18
Soil temp (4") 81°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for calabash

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: calabash

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Calabash (bottle gourd) is a tropical vine producing edible young fruits used in Asian and African cooking. Mature dried fruits serve as natural containers and utensils.

Worth County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost is November 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 190 feet, Worth County receives approximately 58.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Calabash may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Calabash, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Calabash root diseases.

Worth County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 7
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 18
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Worth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Calabash Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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 Worth County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.5) overlaps with Calabash's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Worth County is excellent for Calabash — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Calabash.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Calabash.

How to Plant Calabash

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

Succession Planting Calabash

3
successive plantings in your 256-day season

Sow every 9.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 21 to harvest before frost.

Calabash Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Calabash

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

Month Calabash Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Worth County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Calabash 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" — every day above 50°F 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.

Calabash needs ~2,275 GDD — county provides 5,824 GDD Excellent fit

Calabash Planting Timeline — Worth County, GA

Calabash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 24 Jan 24 – Feb 7
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Direct Sow March 7 Mar 7 – Mar 28
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 – Aug 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

80–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

256 days in Worth County

Growing Tips for Calabash in Worth County

Direct sow Calabash outdoors after March 07 in Worth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Worth County's clay soil (34% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Calabash. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97°F in Worth County, provide afternoon shade for Calabash and water deeply in the morning.

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

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 4 weeks early. Provide a very strong trellis for heavy fruits. Harvest young for cooking or let mature on the vine for crafts. Requires a long, warm season.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Calabash in Worth County, GA?

Worth County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 7. Plan your Calabash planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Worth County, GA?

Worth County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 7 and first fall frost is November 18.

When should I plant Calabash in Worth County County, ?

In Worth County County, , plant Calabash after the last frost (around March 7) and before the first frost (around November 18). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Worth County County, for Calabash?

Worth County County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Calabash grows reliably in zones 5a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Calabash grow in Worth County County's climate?

Yes — Calabash grows well in Worth County County's temperate climate. Worth County County averages a 256-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 7 and first frost around November 18.

🌱

Your Worth County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Worth County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Worth County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.