When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Grand Rapids

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Grand Rapids's last spring frost of Apr 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 25 – May 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jun 2 – Jun 23
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Aug 26 – Sep 30
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Grand Rapids's 166-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Grand Rapids'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
APR 30
OCT 16

Common questions

When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Grand Rapids?

Direct-sow around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

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

Expect to harvest from around late August (Aug 26–Sep 30) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

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

Start seeds indoors around late April (Apr 25–May 16) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Grand Rapids?

Transplant outdoors around early June (Jun 2–Jun 23) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

How long is the growing season in Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids has roughly 166 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 Grand Rapids's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.