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When to Plant Pumpkin in Owsley 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.

Owsley County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,434 feet, Owsley County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

Owsley County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Owsley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 10

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Pumpkin needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 2,912 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Owsley County, KY

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July โ€”
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

182 days

Growing Tips for Owsley 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 Owsley County, KY?

Owsley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owsley County, KY?

Owsley County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 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 Owsley 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 Owsley County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.