When to plant pumpkins in Maine
Maine’s average last spring frost is May 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 134 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Pumpkin needs 90–120 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maine's growing season.
When to plant pumpkins in Maine: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out May 14 – May 31, with seeds started indoors Apr 16 – Apr 30. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over. For Halloween, count back 90–120 days from September 25: sow by May 28–Jun 27. 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 Maine, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Apr 16 – Apr 30). 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 14 – May 31). 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 19 – Sep 18). 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 Maine’s average frost dates. More in the full pumpkin growing guide.
Planting pumpkins in Maine for Halloween
Spring dates above suit a long season. If you want fruit ready for Halloween, count back from Maine's average first fall frost (September 25), 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 28 | slowest types (giants) |
| 100 days | June 17 | jack-o'-lantern and pie types (University of Arkansas variety table) |
| 90 days | June 27 | 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 Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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.
When to plant pumpkins in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Maine (this page) | May 14 | May 14 – May 31 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | May 13 – May 30 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 14 – May 31 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 12 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 12 |
| New York | May 1 | May 1 – May 18 |
Questions gardeners in Maine ask
When is the best time to plant pumpkins in Maine?
Plant pumpkin transplants outdoors in Maine between May 14 and May 31. That timing is set by Maine's average last spring frost of May 14.
When should I start pumpkin seeds indoors in Maine?
Start seeds indoors between April 16 and April 30, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from May 14.
What is the latest I can plant pumpkins in Maine?
About June 27. Pumpkins need at least 90 days to mature, and frost around September 25 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 Maine be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, pumpkins are usually ready from about August 19 to September 18, 90-120 days after planting.
When should I plant pumpkins in Maine for Halloween?
Count back 90-120 days from September 25, Maine's average first fall frost, which comes before Halloween: the latest sowing dates are May 28 to June 27. Sow a little earlier for a margin.
When is the last frost in Maine?
On average around May 14, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 134 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.