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When to Plant Pumpkin in Adair County, KY

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

Adair County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 2,442 feet, Adair County receives approximately 42.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

Adair County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Adair County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 5

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Pumpkin needs ~1,717 GDD — county provides 3,132 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Adair County, KY

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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

187 days

Growing Tips for Adair 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 Adair County, KY?

Adair County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adair County, KY?

Adair County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adair 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 Adair County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.