Yes, it depends. If you grow outdoors and it gets below freezing in the winter, it might go something like this... A month before cold weather arrives, stop watering at all. Only water during the growing season. If the ribs flatten noticeably, that would be an indication it needs watering. Rain might be all the watering it needs. Or you could water regularly, whenever the soil in the pot gets dry.
Considering your current conditions: I would put it in the sunniest window available, if you cannot put it outdoors. New growth will probably be etiolated (skinny) due to low light level. Personally, i would remove the cardboard and banana. In fact, sand might be fine by itself, although it will need some nutrients, either from fertilizer or some sort of compost. In a window year round, I might only water deeply once a month.