When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Kyoto
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Kyoto's last spring frost of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 11 – Apr 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 8 – Apr 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 2 – Aug 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Kyoto's 241-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Kyoto'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
APR 1
NOV 28
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Kyoto?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 8–Apr 29) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Kyoto?
Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 2–Aug 6) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Kyoto?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 11–Apr 1) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Kyoto?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 8–Apr 29) in Kyoto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Kyoto?
Kyoto has roughly 241 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 Kyoto's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.