When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Bakersfield

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Bakersfield's last spring frost of Feb 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 5 – Feb 26
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 9 – Apr 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 3 – Aug 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Bakersfield's 315-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Bakersfield'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
FEB 3
DEC 8

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

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

Expect to harvest from around early July (Jul 3–Aug 7) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 5–Feb 26) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

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

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?

Bakersfield has roughly 315 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 Bakersfield's frost dates.

Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.