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When to Plant Pumpkin in Sherman 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.

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Pumpkin to ensure they mature before fall.

Sherman County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Pumpkin Planting Timeline — Sherman County, NE

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 18
Transplant Outdoors May 23 May 23 – Jun 6
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 – Jun 6
Harvest August 22 Aug 22 – Oct 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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

149 days in Sherman County

Growing Tips for Sherman 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 Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 5.

🌱

Your Sherman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sherman 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.

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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 Sherman County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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