Blog

When to Plant Pumpkin in Taylor County, WI

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

Taylor County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost is September 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 632 feet, Taylor County receives approximately 33.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Pumpkin to ensure they mature before fall.

Taylor County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 16
136 growing days
First Fall Frost September 29

Taylor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Oct 19
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Sep 5 – Oct 24
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Sep 15 – Nov 3

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
Drought risk

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

Pumpkin needs ~1,025 GDD — county provides 1,360 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Taylor County, WI

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 20
Direct Sow May 30 May 30 โ€“ Jun 20
Harvest September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Oct 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Taylor 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 Taylor County, WI?

Taylor County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 16. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taylor County, WI?

Taylor County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 16 and first fall frost is September 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Taylor County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Taylor County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.