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When to Plant Pumpkin in Frontier County, NE

Pumpkin

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

Frontier County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 1,066 feet, Frontier County receives approximately 34.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pumpkin to ensure they mature before fall.

Frontier County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Frontier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Pumpkin Planting Timeline — Frontier County, NE

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 – Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 – May 30
Direct Sow May 9 May 9 – May 30
Harvest August 15 Aug 15 – Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

85–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Frontier County

Growing Tips for Frontier 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pumpkin in Frontier County, NE?

Frontier County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frontier County, NE?

Frontier County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 6.

🌱

Your Frontier County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Frontier County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Frontier County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.