🎃 When to Plant Pumpkin

When should I plant pumpkin?

Plant pumpkin outdoors 2 weeks after last frost. For a head start, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your area's last frost date.

Is pumpkin frost sensitive?

Yes — Pumpkin is frost-sensitive and will be damaged or killed by temperatures at or below 32°F. Wait until all frost danger has passed and nighttime lows are consistently above 55°F.

What temperature does pumpkin need?

Pumpkin grows best between 65°F and 95°F. It can survive down to 55°F, but growth slows significantly below 65°F. Warm nights are especially important once fruiting begins.

How long does pumpkin take to grow?

Pumpkin typically takes 90–120 days from transplant (or direct sow) to first harvest. This is a long-season crop — start seeds early enough to ensure harvest before your area's first fall frost.

Should I start pumpkin seeds indoors?

Yes — start pumpkin seeds indoors 3 weeks before your area's last expected frost date. This gives seedlings time to develop strong roots before outdoor conditions are ready.

Is it too cold to plant pumpkin?

It is too cold to plant Pumpkin outdoors when nighttime temperatures are falling below 55°F. Pumpkin is frost-sensitive, so a single freeze will kill it — wait until your area's last frost date has passed and nights are reliably above 55°F. Use CanIPlant to check your local 7-day forecast and get a real-time answer for your ZIP code.

Is it too hot to plant pumpkin?

Pumpkin starts to struggle when temperatures climb above 95°F. As a warm-season crop, Pumpkin enjoys heat but can experience blossom drop and reduced fruiting above 100°F. Consistent highs above that level may delay planting until temperatures moderate. CanIPlant checks your local forecast highs to flag this automatically.

Any tips for growing pumpkin?

Needs long warm season and lots of space.