When to plant pumpkins in Mississippi
Mississippi’s average last spring frost is March 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 230 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Pumpkin needs 90–120 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Mississippi's growing season.
When to plant pumpkins in Mississippi: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 20 – Apr 6, with seeds started indoors Feb 20 – Mar 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 Mississippi, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 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 (Mar 20 – Apr 6). 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 Jun 25 – Jul 25). 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 Mississippi’s average frost dates. More in the full pumpkin growing guide.
Planting pumpkins in Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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
Questions gardeners in Mississippi ask
When is the best time to plant pumpkins in Mississippi?
Plant pumpkin transplants outdoors in Mississippi between March 20 and April 6. That timing is set by Mississippi's average last spring frost of March 20.
When should I start pumpkin seeds indoors in Mississippi?
Start seeds indoors between February 20 and March 6, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 20.
What is the latest I can plant pumpkins in Mississippi?
About August 7. Pumpkins need at least 90 days to mature, and frost around November 5 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 Mississippi be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, pumpkins are usually ready from about June 25 to July 25, 90-120 days after planting.
When should I plant pumpkins in Mississippi 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 Mississippi?
On average around March 20, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 230 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.