When to Plant Pumpkin in Texas

Q: When should I plant Pumpkin in Texas?

Planting dates for Pumpkin in Texas vary by zone. Texas spans zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b.

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

Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

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Click your county for exact Pumpkin planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Pumpkin Planting Calendar for Texas

▸ Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 27	Feb 27 – Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors	April 17	Apr 17 – May 1
Direct Sow	April 10	Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest	July 17	Jul 17 – Sep 4

▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 25	Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors	April 8	Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest	July 8	Jul 8 – Aug 26

▸ Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 18	Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors	April 1	Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow	March 25	Mar 25 – Apr 15
Harvest	July 1	Jul 1 – Aug 19

▸ Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	February 8	Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors	March 22	Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow	March 15	Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest	June 21	Jun 21 – Aug 9

▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 28	Jan 28 – Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors	March 11	Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow	March 4	Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest	June 10	Jun 10 – Jul 29

▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	January 13	Jan 13 – Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors	February 17	Feb 17 – Mar 3
Direct Sow	February 10	Feb 10 – Mar 3
Harvest	May 19	May 19 – Jul 7

▸ Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity	When	Date Range
Start Indoors	December 28	Dec 28 – Jan 11
Transplant Outdoors	February 1	Feb 1 – Feb 15
Direct Sow	January 25	Jan 25 – Feb 15
Harvest	May 3	May 3 – Jun 21

Growing Tips for Texas

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.

Pumpkin in Other States

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pumpkin in Texas?

Planting dates for Pumpkin in Texas depend on your USDA zone. Texas spans zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Texas for planting?

Texas contains USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

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