When to Plant Pumpkins and Winter Squash (Including for Halloween)

Pumpkins have two timing questions that most crops do not. The first is the usual one: when is it warm enough to plant? The second is when you want the pumpkins. Because a ripe pumpkin only keeps so long on the vine, many gardeners plant later than the frost date allows so the harvest lands near Halloween. Winter squash such as butternut, acorn and Hubbard follow the same warm-soil rule, but they are usually grown for storage, so most gardeners plant them as early as the soil allows.

Step 1: wait for warm soil

Pumpkins are very tender to frost, and Illinois Extension says to plant only after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. How warm? UMN Extension says pumpkin and squash seeds need soil of about 65°F at a 2-inch depth to germinate well; Clemson says soil above 60°F at 4 inches; Mississippi State says at least 70°F for germination. A soil thermometer settles it. In Minnesota, UMN says that usually means late May to early June. University of Maryland Extension expects seedlings in 7 to 10 days.

Step 2: dates by last frost

Our planting calendar gives squash, which pumpkins share, an outdoor sowing window from your average last spring frost to about a week after; Texas A&M's vegetable table says 1 to 4 weeks after the frost-free date. Treat these as the earliest dates: if you want pumpkins for Halloween, use Step 3 instead. The indoor column is optional, for short seasons.

UMD starts transplants in 3-inch pots about 3 weeks before planting time (about mid-May in Maryland); UMN says about 4 weeks, in pots at least 2 inches wide, with 2 or 3 true leaves at transplanting. Disturb the roots as little as possible. The University of Arkansas does not recommend transplanting pumpkins at all, because of their taproot, so direct sowing is the simpler choice where the season is long enough.

Step 3: count back for Halloween

Check the days to maturity on the seed packet, then count back from when you want ripe fruit. Most pumpkins need 90 to 120 days (UGA, Arkansas); UMD says most need more than 100. The table counts back from October 1 and October 15, which leaves time to harvest and cure before Halloween.

Two checks before you use these dates. First, your first fall frost must come after the harvest date; if it comes earlier, count back from the frost date instead, since Illinois advises harvesting before a heavy frost. Second, the date can't be earlier than your warm-soil date from Step 2. Regional examples from extension: UGA says plant mid to late June for an early-October harvest in Georgia; the University of Arkansas says mid-June to early July for smaller 90-day types, with 120-day giants such as Big Moon planted in late May; UMD lists a second pumpkin crop sown June 15 to July 1 in Maryland, harvested around the first frost.

Winter squash timing

Butternut, acorn, Hubbard, spaghetti and other winter squash go in on the same warm-soil schedule as pumpkins, and most gardeners sow them as early as that allows. Illinois lists acorn squash at 80 to 100 days, UMD gives 60 to 100 days for winter squash and Texas A&M 85 to 100. They are harvested in September and October before a heavy frost (Illinois). UMD, like for pumpkins, lists a second winter squash crop sown June 15 to July 1. For summer squash and zucchini, which are faster and picked young, see when to plant zucchini.

Spacing and care after planting

Vining pumpkins need a lot of room: Illinois plants 4 or 5 seeds per hill, thins to the best 2 or 3, and spaces hills 5 to 6 feet apart in rows 10 to 15 feet apart; UMN uses rows 5 to 6 feet apart. Give them about 1 inch of water a week (UMN) and hold off on straw or compost mulch until the soil reaches about 75°F. Don't worry if the first flowers fall off: UMN notes the first blossoms are male. Late plantings, Clemson warns, tend to see more powdery mildew, so give them good air flow and sun.

Texas and Florida dates

In much of Texas, pumpkins are also a summer-planted fall crop. Texas A&M AgriLife's fall guide gives average planting dates by gardening region:

In Florida, University of Florida IFAS lists pumpkin seeds in July in North and Central Florida and August in South Florida; winter squash in March and April in North and Central Florida and March in South Florida. UF also lists Seminole pumpkin, a Florida heirloom, through much of spring and summer.

Where pumpkins go in the garden

Pumpkins are cucurbits, like squash, cucumbers and melons, and share their pests; Clemson suggests not planting cucurbits in the same spot more than once every three years. See what to plant with pumpkins, the Three Sisters garden for pumpkins or squash with corn and beans, and when to plant melons for another warm-soil vine.

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant pumpkins for Halloween?

Count back the days to maturity on the packet (usually 90 to 120) from early October. Illinois puts that at late May in northern areas to early July in the far south; Clemson says most pumpkins should be planted by early July.

How warm does the soil need to be for pumpkins?

About 65°F at a 2-inch depth, according to UMN Extension; Clemson says above 60°F at 4 inches. Plant only after your last frost.

Can I plant pumpkins in July?

In warm areas, yes, if a fast variety can ripen before your first fall frost. UMD lists a second crop sown June 15 to July 1 in Maryland, Texas A&M gives fall dates from June to September by region, and UF lists July in North and Central Florida.

Should I start pumpkins indoors?

Only if your season is short. UMD starts them about 3 weeks ahead and UMN about 4 weeks, in small pots, handling the roots gently. The University of Arkansas does not recommend transplanting because of the taproot.

What happens if I plant pumpkins too early?

They may ripen in late summer and, Illinois warns, soften and rot before Halloween. Harvest them when mature, cure them and store them cool, about 50 to 55°F.

When should I plant winter squash?

On the same warm-soil schedule as pumpkins, usually as early as the soil allows. Most take about 80 to 100 days and are harvested in September or October before a heavy frost.