One of the most common questions I get asked is when is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds in 2022?! For pumpkin growers this is an extremely important question and something that needs to be done at the right time.
As soon as Christmas is long gone and the first signs of Spring appear people cannot wait to get going with growing pumpkins! I know how you feel as I get very excited too but please take heed and do not plant them too early!
In saying that do not wait until it is too late either or you will no carved Jack O Lanterns or pumpkin recipes on your kitchen table.
There are numerous factors that dictate when you should sow your pumpkin seeds including outside temperature and when you are planning to harvest your pumpkins.
Some people like to have their produce ready in October (for Halloween carving), whereas others prefer to have theirs ready closer to Thanksgiving.
Nothing beats some freshly prepared pumpkin for Thanksgiving dinner! If I have made you hungry please check out my favorite pumpkin dinner recipes!
Check Outdoor Temperatures and make sure you choose optimum pumpkin planting time
Do not plant your pumpkin seeds when there is still frost outside. If it is coming up to the time you need to plant your seeds you can start them indoors to give them a head start until outside temperatures reach desired levels.
This is great because if you have seeds that do not germinate you get prior warning, whereas if you plant too late outdoors and they fail to grow it may be too late to do anything about it. It is much easier than you think to grow pumpkins in pots.
You can check average temperature by month for your state and you can also check long range weather forecasts to help you decide when to plant pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin seeds need a temperature of at least 50 degrees F before they planted and a soil temperature of slightly more than that. Pumpkin seeds will not germinate below 65-66 degrees F according to Harvest To Table so avoid planting outdoors during this time.
Please see my guidance on planting pumpkin seeds for more details on how to start your pumpkin growing journey.
When do you want to harvest your Pumpkins?
Harvesting pumpkins gives us great delight! Pumpkins generally take between 3 and 4 months to grow from seed depending on which variety you plant.
Interestingly small pumpkins take the same length of time to grow as giant pumpkins, the difference is in the seed you plant.
If you want to harvest in October you should aim to plant your seeds in June and if you want to harvest in November the best time to plant pumpkin seeds is a little later than this!
If you get easily distracted you might want to put a note in your calendar to remind you to start planting pumpkin seeds or alternatively put an alarm on your phone.
Keep in mind even if you need to harvest your pumpkins earlier than anticipated you can always cook pumpkin and store it in the freezer for later use.
Summary of When is the Best Time To Plant Pumpkin Seeds
Late May to Mid June depending on when you want them.
When outdoor temperature is over 50 degree F and soil temperature is over 60 degree F.
Please remember you also need to consider pumpkin fertilizer whenever you are trying to grow pumpkins. The type and when you add it is also very important.
Do you now know when is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds?
Pat
We left a pumpkin in our garden last winter and several plants came up in the spring. I moved them together with a trellis and they grew large plants lots of male flowers no female flowers until beginning of August. I finally have one pumpkin the size of a baseball and only one other female flower. I live in the Catskills in NY zip 12474. What did I do wrong?
Klayton Soffos
Depending on the variety, especially if it is a hybrid variety, saved seeds or seeds from previous years have a lower germination rate and can tend to not perform as well. Another problem could be that you might have planted your pumpkin patch the first year near squash, cucumbers, zucchini, etc.
FREDDY ARDILLO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. MY GANDSON AND I WILL BE PLANTING IN JULY. TAKE CARE AND HOPE LIFE IS BEING KIND TO YOU.
Lisa B
A pumpkin vine started growing under my bird feeder from the seeds in the squirrel food. 😂 So I moved it to my backyard into a raised garden bed. It wilted for about a week but has bounced back with vigor and is flowering like crazy. Many female flowers and at least one softball sized pumpkin so far. Not sure what kind of pumpkin seeds were in the squirrel food, but it’s a fun adventure nonetheless!
Laura
How exciting! I would love to have seen a picture of your pumpkin vine in such a strange location.