When to Plant Pumpkin Seeds for Halloween?

Planting Time

• Pumpkins grow best when sown as seeds in the same spot where they are to grow and mature in the garden. Pumpkins need between 100 and 120 days of warm, frost-free weather to produce flowers and large, colorful pumpkin fruits. Sow pumpkin seeds in late spring to early summer, depending on your climate as determined by latitude and elevation. The garden soil needs to be warmer than 65 degrees Fahrenheit before pumpkin seeds and plants grow well.

Regional Considerations

• In the northern tier of the United States where the growing season isn't too long, plant pumpkin seeds in late May. In the central U.S., gardeners should delay planting in spring until approximately 115 days prior to October 1 -- a sound pumpkin ripening deadline in anticipation of Halloween. For example, sow the seeds around June 1 to 15. In the Deep South, plant seeds in mid to late June. Florida gardeners should wait to plant until late June to no later than July 4, even though the weather earlier in the year is ideal for pumpkin growing.

Variety Considerations

• When you purchase pumpkin seeds, the seed packet lists maturation information. Each variety of pumpkin, ranging from miniature gourd-like types to pie or larger jumbo types, needs a certain length of growing time to yield ripe fruits. Some varieties need only 90 days, while others need as much as 120 or 130 days. Modify your planting time based on the particular pumpkin variety's maturation date. Use any date in October as your target harvest date and count back the respective number of days to determine the correct planting date in May or June.

Storage Issues

• In the southern U.S., soils warm earlier and are conducive to growing pumpkin plants well before June. You may sow seeds earlier, but expect ripe pumpkins in July or August. The trouble with such early maturation is storage; they may not last until Halloween. Handle ripe pumpkins gently to prevent bruising and keep at least a 2-inch long stem attached to the pumpkin top. Store early-maturing pumpkins in a cool, dry location -- around 55 degrees -- with relative humidity between 50 and 75 percent. Check on pumpkins weekly and promptly dispose of those molding or softening so any disease doesn't spread to others in the storage area.