When to Plant Kabocha in Rockingham County, NH
Top priorities for Rockingham County, New Hampshire gardeners in May
Your garden in Rockingham County, New Hampshire is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Harden off and plant kabocha
Frost risk is low now in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Sow kabocha where they'll grow
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
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Start kabocha under lights
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
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.
Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.
At an elevation of 444 feet, Rockingham County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Kabocha to ensure they mature before fall.
Rockingham County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Rockingham County
How your county's soil matches Kabocha's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) is more acidic than Kabocha prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Rockingham County is excellent for Kabocha — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Kabocha.
How to Plant Kabocha
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rockingham County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — 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.
Kabocha Planting Timeline — Rockingham County, NH
Kabocha Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 10 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | August 9 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
85–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
174 days in Rockingham County
Growing Tips for Kabocha in Rockingham County
Direct sow Kabocha outdoors after April 26 in Rockingham 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Kabocha in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Kabocha in Rockingham County, NH?
Rockingham County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Rockingham County, NH?
Rockingham County, New Hampshire is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Rockingham County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Rockingham County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.