Planting timing · Frost-anchored
When to plant pumpkins
Plant pumpkins after frost on the cited sheets — not on a national calendar month. Regional dates stay source-specific.
Growing guidance is general information. Timing, spacing, and care depend on cultivar, weather, soil, and local conditions. Check the sources and adjust the plan for your garden.
Your window
Use your last-spring-frost history — not a national month.
A ZIP calculator is not live on this page. Save the bed to store the window you actually used.
Sow after frost risk at your site. Spacing lives on the pumpkin hub.
Types and spacing live on growing pumpkins.
What the sources say — at a glance
One source per card. Facts are not averaged.
Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina)
After frost; soil at 4 in above 60 °F. Late spring or midsummer. Ornamental mid to late summer. Piedmont Jun 15–Jul 15; Coastal Jun 1–Jun 30.
Details and limits (4)
Timing
Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): all types of squash and pumpkins are highly susceptible to frost and should be seeded in the garden after all danger of frost is over, and the soil temperature at a depth of 4 inches is above 60 °F. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Timing
Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): winter squash and pumpkins can be planted either in late spring or in midsummer. Pumpkins for ornamental use should be planted in mid to late summer depending on the time needed for the variety selected. Timing on their sheet — not a national plant date.
Regions
Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): pumpkin planting dates on their sheet — Piedmont June 15 to July 15; Coastal June 1 to June 30. Spring not recommended for pumpkin in either region. South Carolina regions — not a national plant date.
Limit
South Carolina HGIC 1318. Piedmont and Coastal pumpkin dates stay on this sheet. Not a ZIP calendar.
Maryland Extension (Maryland)
After frost, soil warmed. Indoor 3 weeks before ~mid-May. Second crop Jun 15–Jul 1. DTM >100. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (3)
Timing
Maryland Extension (Maryland): plant after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. For transplants, sow seed indoors in 3-inch containers 3 weeks before planting time (about mid-May). Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Timing
Maryland Extension (Maryland): a second crop can be planted between June 15 and July 1. Most pumpkins require more than 100 days to ripen. Maryland timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Maryland pumpkin garden page. Mid-May transplant timing and June 15–July 1 stay Maryland. Not a ZIP calendar.
UMN Extension (Minnesota)
Direct late May–early June, or indoor late April. Soil 65 °F at 2 in. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (2)
Timing
UMN Extension (Minnesota): sow seed in the garden in late May to early June, or start seeds indoors in late April. Vine crops need warm soils (65 °F at 2 inches soil depth) to germinate properly. In Minnesota, planting is typically in late May to early June. Minnesota timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Minnesota pumpkins-and-winter-squash sheet. Late May–early June and 65 °F stay Minnesota. Not a ZIP calendar.
Illinois Extension (Illinois)
After frost danger. Soil thoroughly warmed. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.
Details and limits (2)
Timing
Illinois Extension (Illinois): do not plant until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has thoroughly warmed. Illinois timing — not a national plant date.
Limit
Illinois pumpkin page. After-frost timing stays Illinois. Not a ZIP calendar.
Sources differ
Make it yours
Save the bed in the Field Book so next season is not a guess.
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When a partner is listed, it will be outbound and disclosed. Nothing to buy here. Fertilizer, soils, and pesticides stay off this slot.
When do you plant pumpkins?
Compare frost and soil cues on the cited sheets. Clemson HGIC 1318 (South Carolina): after frost, soil at 4 inches above 60 °F; Piedmont June 15 to July 15; Coastal June 1 to June 30. Maryland: after frost; indoor three weeks before about mid-May; second crop June 15 to July 1. Minnesota: late May to early June, or indoor late April. Illinois: after frost, soil thoroughly warmed.
Do the sheets agree on a calendar month?
No. Clemson’s pumpkin table is June in South Carolina regions, with spring not recommended. Maryland lists about mid-May transplants and a June 15 to July 1 second crop. Minnesota lists late May to early June. Illinois does not name a month — after frost, soil thoroughly warmed. Four cards — not averaged.
What to record in the Field Book
Save the bed with the crop and the date. You may add a photo and notes. Compare entries you have recorded with each other — not with a diagnosis from this page. If you want an identification, bring the record to local Extension.
How we know — methodology. Ranges and assertions are cited per source, not blended.