Blog

When to Plant Pumpkin in Barber County, KS

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

Barber County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 964 feet, Barber County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

Barber County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Barber County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 29

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,127 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Pumpkin needs ~1,794 GDD — county provides 3,360 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Barber County, KS

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 16

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

192 days

Growing Tips for Barber 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 Barber County, KS?

Barber County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barber County, KS?

Barber County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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