When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Tokyo

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tokyo's last spring frost of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 19 – Apr 9
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 11 – Jun 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 4 – Sep 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Tokyo's 258-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Tokyo'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
MAR 28
DEC 11

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around mid May (May 11–Jun 1) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 44%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 4–Sep 8) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 40%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 43%.

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

Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 11–Jun 1) in Tokyo, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 44%.

How long is the growing season in Tokyo?

Tokyo has roughly 258 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 Tokyo's frost dates.

Confidence 45/100 · Curated · based on NASA POWER (modeled) 1991–2020 · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.