When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Canberra

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Canberra's last spring frost of Oct 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Oct 20 – Nov 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Nov 23 – Dec 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 16 – Mar 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Canberra's 204-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Canberra's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
OCT 10
APR 28

Common questions

When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Canberra?

Direct-sow around late November (Nov 23–Dec 14) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Canberra?

Expect to harvest from around mid February (Feb 16–Mar 23) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Canberra?

Start seeds indoors around mid October (Oct 20–Nov 10) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Canberra?

Transplant outdoors around late November (Nov 23–Dec 14) in Canberra, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Canberra?

Canberra has roughly 204 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow winter squash / pumpkin to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow winter squash / pumpkin 6–8 weeks before your last spring frost; plant out 2–3 weeks after it. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Canberra's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.