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When to Plant Kabocha in Buffalo County, WI

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.

Buffalo County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 661 feet, Buffalo County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Kabocha to ensure they mature before fall.

Buffalo County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Buffalo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Kabocha Planting Timeline — Buffalo County, WI

Kabocha Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 – Jun 16
Harvest September 1 Sep 1 – Sep 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July
August
September Harvest
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 4b

📆 Growing Season

141 days in Buffalo County

Growing Tips for Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, WI?

Buffalo County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Kabocha planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buffalo County, WI?

Buffalo County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Buffalo County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Buffalo County (Zone 4b). 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 Buffalo County, WI. 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.