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When to Plant Kabocha in Texas County, OK

Texas County, Oklahoma Zone 6b May

Your May game plan for Texas County, Oklahoma

May is a pivotal month for Texas County, Oklahoma gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 64°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Time to start kabocha inside

    Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.

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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.

Texas County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 870 feet, Texas County receives approximately 20.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Texas County, OK (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Texas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Sep 12

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 Texas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.8) overlaps with Kabocha's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Texas County is excellent for Kabocha — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.1%) — Kabocha will thrive.

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,087 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Texas 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 needs ~1,549 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline — Texas County, OK

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
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 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

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

85–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

187 days in Texas County

Growing Tips for Kabocha in Texas County

Direct sow Kabocha outdoors after April 16 in Texas 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.

Texas County receives only 20" of rain annually. Kabocha needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Texas County, OK?

Texas County is in Zone 6b 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 Texas County, OK?

Texas County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Your Texas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Texas County (Zone 6b). 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 Texas County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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