When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Sapporo
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Sapporo's last spring frost of May 5.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 14 – May 5
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 12 – Jun 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 5 – Sep 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Sapporo's 173-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Sapporo'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 5
OCT 25
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Sapporo?
Direct-sow around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Sapporo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Sapporo?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 5–Sep 9) in Sapporo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Sapporo?
Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 14–May 5) in Sapporo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Sapporo?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 12–Jun 2) in Sapporo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Sapporo?
Sapporo has roughly 173 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 Sapporo's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.