When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Baltimore
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Baltimore's last spring frost of Mar 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 10 – Mar 31
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 30 – May 21
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 24 – Aug 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Baltimore's 249-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Baltimore'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
MAR 21
NOV 27
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Baltimore?
Direct-sow around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Baltimore?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 24–Aug 28) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Baltimore?
Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Baltimore?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Baltimore?
Baltimore has roughly 249 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 Baltimore's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.