When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Aurora
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Aurora's last spring frost of Apr 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 28 – May 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
May 26 – Jun 16
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 19 – Sep 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Aurora's 175-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Aurora'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 21
OCT 17
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Aurora?
Direct-sow around late May (May 26–Jun 16) in Aurora, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Aurora?
Expect to harvest from around mid August (Aug 19–Sep 23) in Aurora, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Aurora?
Start seeds indoors around late April (Apr 28–May 19) in Aurora, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Aurora?
Transplant outdoors around late May (May 26–Jun 16) in Aurora, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.
How long is the growing season in Aurora?
Aurora has roughly 175 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 Aurora's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.