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When to Plant Pumpkin in Montour County, PA

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

Montour County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Montour County receives approximately 47.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

Montour County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Montour County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 15

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 ~1,409 GDD — county provides 2,406 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Montour County, PA

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 25
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Sep 28

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
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 6a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Montour 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 Montour County, PA?

Montour County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montour County, PA?

Montour County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montour County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Montour County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.