When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Chesapeake

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Chesapeake's last spring frost of Mar 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 8 – Mar 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 23 – May 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 17 – Aug 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Chesapeake's 248-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Chesapeake'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
MAR 18
NOV 18

Common questions

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

Direct-sow around late April (Apr 23–May 14) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

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

Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 17–Aug 21) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

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

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

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

Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 23–May 14) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

How long is the growing season in Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has roughly 248 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 Chesapeake's frost dates.

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