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When to Plant Kabocha in Wyoming County, WV

Wyoming County, West Virginia Zone 7a May

May to-do list for Wyoming County, West Virginia

Here's what deserves your attention in Wyoming County, West Virginia this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 5
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Move kabocha into the garden

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Outdoor sowing time: kabocha

    Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: kabocha

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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.

Wyoming County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 3,234 feet, Wyoming County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Kabocha during the growing season.

Wyoming County, WV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Wyoming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 23 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Sep 3 – Oct 1

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 Wyoming County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Kabocha's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Kabocha.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Kabocha.

How to Plant Kabocha

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

Plant Water Budget

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

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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Wyoming 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 ~1,272 GDD — county provides 2,227 GDD Excellent fit

Kabocha Planting Timeline — Wyoming County, WV

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 21
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Direct Sow May 12 May 12 – Jun 2
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Wyoming County

Growing Tips for Kabocha in Wyoming County

Direct sow Kabocha outdoors after May 05 in Wyoming 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

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kabocha in Wyoming County, WV?

Wyoming County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wyoming County, WV?

Wyoming County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 14.

🌱

Your Wyoming County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Wyoming 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 Wyoming County, WV. 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.