When to plant pumpkins and winter squash
Sow directly in the garden 3 weeks to 5 weeks after the last spring frost. Count back 90–120 days from when you want to harvest.
Tender: any frost damages it.
Pumpkins & winter squash planting dates by state
| City | Plant outside |
|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Tucson, AZ | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Little Rock, AR | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Sacramento, CA | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Denver, CO | May 16 – May 30 |
| Hartford, CT | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Wilmington, DE | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Washington, DC | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Jacksonville, FL | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Atlanta, GA | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Boise, ID | May 11 – May 25 |
| Chicago, IL | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Indianapolis, IN | May 1 – May 15 |
| Des Moines, IA | May 12 – May 26 |
| Wichita, KS | May 2 – May 16 |
| Louisville, KY | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| New Orleans, LA | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Portland, ME | May 14 – May 28 |
| Baltimore, MD | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Boston, MA | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Detroit, MI | May 13 – May 27 |
| Minneapolis, MN | May 14 – May 28 |
| Jackson, MS | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Kansas City, MO | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Billings, MT | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Omaha, NE | May 11 – May 25 |
| Las Vegas, NV | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Manchester, NH | May 17 – May 31 |
| Newark, NJ | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Albuquerque, NM | May 6 – May 20 |
| New York City, NY | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Charlotte, NC | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Fargo, ND | May 31 – Jun 14 |
| Columbus, OH | May 7 – May 21 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Portland, OR | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Philadelphia, PA | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Providence, RI | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Columbia, SC | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Nashville, TN | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Dallas, TX | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Burlington, VT | May 13 – May 27 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Seattle, WA | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Charleston, WV | May 12 – May 26 |
| Milwaukee, WI | May 15 – May 29 |
| Cheyenne, WY | Jun 3 – Jun 17 |
Not your city? Every city planting calendar lists all 19 vegetables.
Helpful gear
Soil thermometerCheck the soil at 4 inches before you spread anything.See options on AmazonFrost clothCovers tender plants on a surprise frost night.See options on AmazonRain gaugeKnow whether the lawn already got its inch this week.See options on Amazon
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