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 Apr 16.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 13 – May 4
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
Charleston's 186-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
FROST
FROST
HARVEST
APR 16
OCT 21
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Charleston?
Direct-sow around mid May (May 11–Jun 1) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Charleston?
Expect to harvest from around early August (Aug 4–Sep 8) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Charleston?
Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Charleston?
Transplant outdoors around mid May (May 11–Jun 1) in Charleston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
How long is the growing season in Charleston?
Charleston has roughly 186 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 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.