Pumpkin is delicious in pies, muffins, and other baked goods any time of year. However, if you are aiming to have pumpkins ready for Halloween and Fall decorations, it is important to consider the timing. Our pumpkin growing guide provides valuable information on when to plant to achieve the perfect fall harvest.
Pumpkins are a deliciously healthy vegetable. Like other hard-skinned winter squash, pumpkins can be stored whole, roasted, made into purées, frozen, and canned. Whether you use them for ornamentals or flavor, planning ahead is necessary. With the right timing, youll know when you can plant your seeds and have ripe, cured pumpkins for jack-o-lantern carving, fall decor, and fresh pumpkin pie.
November is pumpkin season – jack-o’-lanterns are carved, pies are baked, and seeds from these fall fruits are abundant. As an avid gardener, you may be tempted to toss leftover pumpkin seeds into the soil before winter arrives. But will these late season plantings amount to anything in spring?
The short answer is no November is generally too late for planting pumpkin seeds in most regions. While not impossible, seeds sown at the end of fall face an uphill battle to thrive and produce a harvest. Here’s a closer look at the main reasons why agricultural experts recommend against late autumn pumpkin seed plantings.
Why November Planting is Risky for Pumpkins
There are several key factors that make November the wrong time to plant pumpkin seeds:
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Germination Requires Warmer Soils – Pumpkin seeds need adequately warm soil temperatures, around 60-95°F, to germinate. By November, soils are usually too cold for seeds to sprout successfully.
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Risk of Frost Damage – Even if seeds did manage to germinate in late fall, young seedlings could easily perish from hard frosts and freezes over winter.
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Limited Growing Season Left – Pumpkins require 80-100+ frost-free days to fully develop. Planting in November leaves insufficient time before winter dormancy for most varieties to reach maturity.
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Overwintering is Difficult – Unlike some crops, pumpkin vines and fruits don’t reliably overwinter in most regions Harsh winter conditions would likely kill them
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No “Winter” Pumpkin Varieties – There are no pumpkin cultivars specifically bred for late planting and winter maturation. Standard types need a long, warm season.
For these reasons, agricultural professionals recommend pumpkins be sown as seedlings in late spring or early summer to produce ripe fall fruits. However, some home gardeners have reported success with November plantings…
Anecdotal Successes – What Seed Packets Don’t Say
Despite the warnings, some hobby gardeners have managed to get pumpkins growing from November seeded plantings, seemingly contradicting conventional guidance. Possible explanations for these anecdotal successes include:
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Milder winters may allow seeds and seedlings to overwinter if properly protected and insulated.
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Seeds may go dormant under cold temperatures and remain viable to sprout again in spring.
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Certain varieties may exhibit more cold resilience than expected.
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Microclimates in some gardens could provide sufficient ambient warmth for survival.
However, gardening experts still consider success improbable compared to proper spring sowing. November seed planting may occasionally work in sheltered gardens or warmer winter climates. But the risks remain high of sprouted plants perishing over winter.
Tips to Maximize Late Fall Planted Pumpkin Success
While ill-advised, if you insist on experimenting with November planted pumpkin seeds, here are some tips to improve your chances:
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Choose warmer south-facing walls or other partially self-heating locations.
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Cover planted seeds with cloches, cold frames, or low tunnels to provide insulation.
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Use black plastic mulch over beds to absorb and retain heat.
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Select smaller, fast-maturing varieties needing 60 days or less.
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Start seeds indoors, then transplant out after last frosts to avoid seedling loss.
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Provide frost protection like fabric row covers for vulnerable seedlings and vines.
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Pinch off early buds to prevent premature fruits forming in fall.
Admittedly, there are still no guarantees of success, and many seeds may fail to thrive. But with luck and protection measures, you might get a few to sprout and grow!
Enjoy Fresh Seeds Next Season by Proper Storage
Rather than gamble on late season planting, a better option for seed savers is preserving seeds from Halloween pumpkins to plant next spring. Here’s a simple process:
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Scoop seeds from pumpkins and briefly rinse off pulp strands.
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Spread seeds evenly on paper towels and allow to dry 1-2 weeks.
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Place dried seeds in a sealed envelope or jar. Refrigerate for cool, dry storage.
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In spring, presoak saved seeds in water 24 hours before planting out after last frosts.
With proper drying, storage, and handling, pumpkin seeds can stay viable for planting for up to a year. Just avoid planting them in the fall – spring is the key to their planting success!
The Takeaway – November is Too Late for Pumpkins
While not impossible, November pumpkin seed planting is generally inadvisable for most regions, facing the tough odds of cold soils, frost damage, and short growing seasons. For best results, properly store seeds over winter and wait to sow in spring. With the right conditions, you’ll reap a bountiful harvest!
Choose Your Pumpkin Varieties
To choose a pumpkin variety, consider your interests and garden space. For gigantic pumpkins, plant Big Max , but make sure you have enough room. For a unique decor pumpkin, try Galeux d’Eysines. If you want a sweet variety for pies, go for the Small Sugar Pumpkin. You can learn more about the different heirloom pumpkin varieties here.
How to Plant Pumpkin Seeds
Like most plants, getting the ground ready is vital for growing healthy produce. Pumpkins need a lot of nutrients to reach their full potential. So preparing the soil before planting will get you off to a successful start. Add aged compost and rich organic matter to the soil before planting pumpkins. The optimal soil pH is 6 to 6.8.
Pumpkin seeds are best sown directly in the garden after the soil has warmed up. Plant pumpkin seeds 1 inch deep in 3-foot wide mounds. You can plant 3 to 4 seeds per mound and then thin to only 2 plants per mound – keeping the most viable plants.
Starting pumpkin seeds indoors can give you a few more weeks to grow if needed. When starting pumpkin seeds indoors, keep the soil temperature between 70 and 80ºF. Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last spring frost.
Keep pumpkin seeds moist until they have germinated, which should take 7 to 14 days, depending on the soil temperature.
When transplanting the pumpkin seedlings, they should have about 4 mature leaves and well-developed roots.
How to plant a Pumpkin Seed Garden
FAQ
What is the latest you can plant pumpkin seeds?
How late can you plant pumpkins in the fall?
No, unfortunately. It’s too late to plant them in the fall for harvest in the same season, nor do the seeds overwinter well. They are sensitive to cold and could die, either as a seed or—if they do survive—as a sensitive seedling hit by a late spring frost. There is no such thing as a winter pumpkin variety.
Can you just throw pumpkin seeds on the ground?
When to plant pumpkin seeds for Thanksgiving?
Pumpkins are typically planted in May through June so that they fully mature by early October.Aug 13, 2023
When is the best time to plant pumpkin seeds?
That means more carving, baking, and fall decor. Danny Watson, a garden center associate at The Home Depot, shares his best tips for planting and growing pumpkins from seeds. The best time to plant pumpkin seeds is from late May to early July to enjoy them in the fall.
When can you plant pumpkin seeds directly into the soil?
Plant seeds directly into the soil only if there’s no risk of frost. Pumpkin plants grow really well in warmer climates, but their growth is inhibited by cold weather. So, if you want your pumpkins ready for Halloween, it’s better to grow them indoors until the danger of frost has passed.
When should you plant pumpkin seeds indoors?
For those living in colder regions where the frost lasts longer, you can start by growing pumpkin seeds indoors around two to three weeks before the end of the frost. Plant three to four pumpkin seeds in a container packed with potting soil. Make sure to plant them an inch deep into the soil.
Can you grow a pumpkin at the store next fall?
Sure, you can pick up a pumpkin at the store next fall. But there’s a lot more satisfaction in raising your own. Choosing a variety to grow is half the fun. Plus, pumpkins are simple to sprout, so they’re a beginner-friendly plant to start from seeds.
Can You Grow Pumpkins from seeds?
Danny Watson, a garden center associate at The Home Depot, shares his best tips for planting and growing pumpkins from seeds. The best time to plant pumpkin seeds is from late May to early July to enjoy them in the fall. You can choose store-bought seeds ready for planting or collect the seeds from a pumpkin you carved—it’s a pretty easy task.
When should you plant pumpkins outdoors?
Plant pumpkins outdoors once the threat of frost has passed. The perfect soil temperature to plant pumpkin seeds is 65°F (~18°C). Naturally, warmer soil is better for their growth.