Winter squash · Kabocha

Sunshine Kabocha Squash

Vine · Cucurbitaceae

Sunshine is a bright orange-red kabocha hybrid with dense sweet flesh and excellent eating quality, combining rich flavor with more uniform garden performance than many heirlooms. It is a Japanese pumpkin type prized for roasting and soups, and the skin softens enough in cooking that many gardeners eat it rather than peeling it.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

95–100 days

Sun

8+ hours

full sun 8+ hours

Spacing

36–48 "

Seed Start

2–3 weeks

before transplant

Container

Not Ideal

20+ gallon pot

Height

1–2 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 4–10 days

Optimal Temp 85°F

Seed Depth 1"

Transplanting

Min Soil Temp 65°F

Harden Off 5 days

Watering

Weekly Water 1–2 "

Needs Consistent

Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–6.8

Soil Type Fertile, moisture-retentive loam with compost and good drainage.

Resilience

Heat: High Cold: Low Drought: Low

Common Problems

powdery-mildew

Cause: Late-season mildew spreads fast on dense aging vines.

Prevention: Give vines room, water at the base, and avoid crowding.

poor-pollination

Cause: Low bee activity leaves young fruit yellowing and aborting.

Prevention: Protect pollinators and avoid spraying blooms.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Heavy feeder

Recommended Recipes Root drench, Silica foliar, Worm castings topdress

Harvest

Harvest when the rind is hard, the stem is corky, and the fruit is deep orange-red with mature color all over.

Expected Yield 8–20 lbs/plant

Storage 90 days — Cure briefly, then store in a cool dry place with good airflow.

Sources

seed_catalog Fedco university NC State Extension

More Winter squashs

Sunshine Kabocha Squash Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Sunshine Kabocha Squash vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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