When to plant winter squash / pumpkin in Winston-Salem

Winter squash / Pumpkin is frost-tender, so every date keys off Winston-Salem's last spring frost of Mar 29.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 22 – Apr 12
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
Winston-Salem's 219-day season leaves this much room.
Winter squash / Pumpkin on Winston-Salem'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 29
NOV 5

Common questions

When can I sow winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Winston-Salem?

Direct-sow around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will winter squash / pumpkin be ready to harvest in Winston-Salem?

Expect to harvest from around late July (Jul 24–Aug 28) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start winter squash / pumpkin seeds indoors in Winston-Salem?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 22–Apr 12) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant winter squash / pumpkin outdoors in Winston-Salem?

Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 30–May 21) in Winston-Salem, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

How long is the growing season in Winston-Salem?

Winston-Salem has roughly 219 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 Winston-Salem's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.