When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Edinburgh
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Edinburgh's last spring frost of May 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 10 – May 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 8 – May 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 1 – Sep 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Edinburgh's 170-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Edinburgh'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
FROST
FROST
HARVEST
MAY 1
OCT 18
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Edinburgh?
Direct-sow around early May (May 8–May 29) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Edinburgh?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 1–Sep 5) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Edinburgh?
Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 10–May 1) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Edinburgh?
Transplant outdoors around early May (May 8–May 29) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has roughly 170 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 Edinburgh's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.