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When to Plant Pumpkin in Real County, TX

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

Real County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 4,368 feet, Real County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Pumpkin may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pumpkin root diseases.

Real County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Real County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Real County, TX

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 17
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

85โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

222 days in Real County

Growing Tips for Real 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 Real County, TX?

Real County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Real County, TX?

Real County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Real County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Real County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.