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When to Plant Kabocha in Curry County, NM

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.

Curry County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 3,373 feet, Curry County receives approximately 15.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Kabocha will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Kabocha successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Curry County, NM (Zone 7a) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Curry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Kabocha Planting Timeline — Curry County, NM

Kabocha Planting Calendar

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

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

85–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

190 days in Curry County

Growing Tips for Curry 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kabocha in Curry County, NM?

Curry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Curry County, NM?

Curry County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 23.

🌱

Your Curry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Curry County (Zone 7a). 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 Curry County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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