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When to Plant Pumpkin in Gibson County, IN

Pumpkins are large-fruited squash varieties grown for eating, decoration, and seed production. They require ample space and a long, warm growing season.

Gibson County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 652 feet, Gibson County receives approximately 38.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

Gibson County, IN (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Gibson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 389 gal / 100 sq ft
Pumpkin needs ~1,871 GDD — county provides 3,741 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Gibson County, IN

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 20 Apr 20 โ€“ May 4
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 7

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

85โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Gibson County

Direct sow on mounds after last frost. Allow 6-10 feet between plants. Slip a board under developing fruit to prevent rot. Harvest when rind is hard and deep in color.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pumpkin in Gibson County, IN?

Gibson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gibson County, IN?

Gibson County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gibson County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Gibson County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.