When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Charleston

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Charleston's last spring frost of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 11 – Mar 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 30 – Apr 20
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 23 – Jul 28
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Charleston's 310-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Charleston'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 8
DEC 15

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late June (Jun 23–Jul 28) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 11–Mar 4) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 30–Apr 20) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Charleston?

Charleston has roughly 310 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 Charleston's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.