When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Tucson
Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Tucson's last spring frost of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 24 – Mar 17
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 24 – Apr 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 17 – Jul 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
85 – 120 d
Tucson's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Tucson'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
FEB 27
NOV 27
Common questions
When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Tucson?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 24–Apr 14) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Tucson?
Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 17–Jul 22) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Tucson?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 24–Mar 17) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Tucson?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 24–Apr 14) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Tucson?
Tucson has roughly 278 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 Tucson's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.