When to plant pumpkins in California
California’s average last spring frost is February 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 1 — about 284 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b). Pumpkin needs 90–120 days to mature, which fits comfortably within California's growing season.
California 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 California: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 20 – Mar 9, with seeds started indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over. For Halloween, count back 90–120 days from October 31: sow by Jul 3–Aug 2. 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 California, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 23 – Feb 6). 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 (Feb 20 – Mar 9). 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 May 28 – Jun 27). 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 California’s average frost dates. More in the full pumpkin growing guide.
Planting pumpkins in California for Halloween
Spring dates above suit a long season. If you want fruit ready for Halloween, count back from Halloween (October 31). 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 | July 3 | slowest types (giants) |
| 100 days | July 23 | jack-o'-lantern and pie types (University of Arkansas variety table) |
| 90 days | August 2 | 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 California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. 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 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 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 9 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Jan 30 – Feb 16 |
Questions gardeners in California ask
When is the best time to plant pumpkins in California?
Plant pumpkin transplants outdoors in California between February 20 and March 9. That timing is set by California's average last spring frost of February 20; California spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start pumpkin seeds indoors in California?
Start seeds indoors between January 23 and February 6, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 20.
What is the latest I can plant pumpkins in California?
About September 2. Pumpkins need at least 90 days to mature, and frost around December 1 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short. If you want ripe fruit for Halloween, the cut-off is earlier: see the Halloween dates on this page.
When will pumpkins planted in California be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, pumpkins are usually ready from about May 28 to June 27, 90-120 days after planting.
When should I plant pumpkins in California for Halloween?
Count back 90-120 days from October 31: the latest sowing dates are July 3 to August 2. Sow a little earlier for a margin.
When is the last frost in California?
On average around February 20, with the first fall frost around December 1 - about 284 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.