When to plant pumpkins in Alaska
Alaska’s average last spring frost is May 17, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 13 — about 119 frost-free days (USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b). Pumpkin needs 90–120 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alaska's growing season.
Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant pumpkins in Alaska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 17 – Jun 3, with seeds started indoors Apr 19 – May 3. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over. For Halloween, count back 90–120 days from September 13: sow by May 16–Jun 15. See the Halloween plan.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow pumpkins in Alaska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Apr 19 – May 3). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (May 17 – Jun 3). Space plants about 48 inches apart in rows 96 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt.
- Harvest (from about Aug 22 – Sep 21). Pumpkin takes 90-120 days to reach harvest. For Halloween pumpkins in the north, count back 100-120 days from 31 Oct and start indoors. Mini varieties can climb a strong trellis.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alaska’s average frost dates. More in the full pumpkin growing guide.
Planting pumpkins in Alaska for Halloween
Spring dates above suit a long season. If you want fruit ready for Halloween, count back from Alaska's average first fall frost (September 13), which comes before Halloween. Pumpkin takes 90–120 days from sowing to a mature fruit, so these are the latest sowing dates. Sow earlier for a margin, but not too early: the University of Arkansas Extension warns that pumpkins planted too early may rot before Halloween.
| Days to maturity | Latest sowing for Halloween | Typical for |
|---|---|---|
| 120 days | May 16 | slowest types (giants) |
| 100 days | June 5 | jack-o'-lantern and pie types (University of Arkansas variety table) |
| 90 days | June 15 | quickest types |
See the full growing guide for pumpkin. Days to maturity vary by variety, so check the seed packet.
Pumpkin planting dates by USDA zone in Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pumpkin dates shift with them.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant pumpkin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jun 15 | Aug 20 | 65 days | May 18 – Jun 1 | Jun 15 – Jul 2 |
| Zone 2 | Jun 1 | Sep 1 | 90 days | May 4 – May 18 | Jun 1 – Jun 18 |
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 15 – Jun 1 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 10 – May 27 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – May 2 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
When to plant pumpkins in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this page) | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 3 |
| Hawaii | frost-free | - |
Questions gardeners in Alaska ask
When is the best time to plant pumpkins in Alaska?
Plant pumpkin transplants outdoors in Alaska between May 17 and June 3. That timing is set by Alaska's average last spring frost of May 17; Alaska spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start pumpkin seeds indoors in Alaska?
Start seeds indoors between April 19 and May 3, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 17.
When will pumpkins planted in Alaska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, pumpkins are usually ready from about August 22 to September 21, 90-120 days after planting.
When should I plant pumpkins in Alaska for Halloween?
Count back 90-120 days from September 13, Alaska's average first fall frost, which comes before Halloween: the latest sowing dates are May 16 to June 15. Sow a little earlier for a margin.
When is the last frost in Alaska?
On average around May 17, with the first fall frost around September 13 - about 119 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.