When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Durham
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Durham's last spring frost of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
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
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Durham'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 2
NOV 1
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Durham?
Direct-sow around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Durham?
Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 24–Aug 28) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Durham?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Durham?
Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in Durham?
Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.