When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Huntsville
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Huntsville's last spring frost of Mar 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 19 – May 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 13 – Aug 17
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Huntsville's 228-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Huntsville'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
MAR 27
NOV 4
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Huntsville?
Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Huntsville?
Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 13–Aug 17) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Huntsville?
Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Huntsville?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Huntsville, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
How long is the growing season in Huntsville?
Huntsville has roughly 228 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 Huntsville's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.