When to plant pumpkin seeds in time for a Halloween harvest

Pumpkins may be a typical autumn-time produce. But if you want to grow your own, then you need to start prepping way ahead and think about when to plant pumpkin seeds in time for Halloween pumpkin carving.

Given that October is the ideal time to harvest pumpkins, you need to be strategic with your planting to make it in time and avoid the frost and cold temperatures that could damage your pumpkin seedlings and plants.

That’s why we asked our gardening pros to offer their expert advice on when to plant pumpkin seeds for a timely Halloween harvest to fulfil those pumpkin decorating ideas and hearty autumnal recipes alike.

When to plant pumpkin seeds

Getting the timing of planting your pumpkin seeds wrong could lead to your pumpkin not growing. And we don’t want that – we want thriving pumpkin plants bearing plump, abundant produce.

Firstly, stay clear of the frost as it’s your pumpkin’s worst enemy. 

‘It’s recommended to wait until after the last frost date in your area because planting too early can expose young pumpkin plants to frost damage,’ says Petar Ivanov, Fantastic Gardeners' gardening expert. And in the UK, the last frost date typically falls between late April and early June, depending on the region.’

That’s why this time of year is ideal for planting your pumpkin seeds. But the more specific timing also depends on how you’re sowing your seeds, whether you’re starting indoors or outdoors straight away.

Petar Ivanov

Petar Ivanov is one of the company's top-performing experts and manages over six teams of gardeners, delivering stunning landscape results and fostering a deep connection with nature through his work.

‘If you're planting your pumpkin seeds indoors, then spring is the perfect time to sow them, around mid-April to early May,’ says Steve Chilton, garden expert at LeisureBench. ‘If you're planting them directly outdoors, you need to wait until it's warmed up a little bit more, and sowing between the end of May and beginning of June is the perfect time.’

But Petar actually recommends starting your seeds indoors before transplanting your pumpkin plant outside into the garden.

‘Starting your pumpkin seeds indoors around 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date is another way to help give them a good start before transplanting them outdoors. If you're starting your pumpkin seeds indoors, you’ll allow the seedlings to develop better before transplanting them outdoors. You can transplant the seedlings outdoors once they’ve developed a few healthy leaves and the risk of frost has passed,’ he explains.

Steve Chilton

Steve is a passionate and knowledgeable garden expert with several years of experience within the field. As the director of LeisureBench, an industry-leading garden furniture company, Steve has developed strong expertise for all things nature and plants.

Where to buy pumpkin seeds

• Thompson & Morgan: Pumpkin 'Jack of All Trades' Seeds
• Amazon: Premier Seeds Direct Miniature White Pumpkin - Baby Boo - 45 Seeds
• Marshalls Garden: Pumpkin Seeds 'Crown Prince'

FAQs

How long does it take for pumpkin seeds to grow?

‘It obviously depends on the variety of pumpkin, the quality of the seeds, the length of the germination process and how well cared for they are,’ Steve says. ‘But I would say that pumpkins generally take anywhere from 90 to 120 days to grow. This means that May/June is the perfect time for planting if you're wanting your pumpkins in time for Halloween in October.’

Should you soak pumpkin seeds overnight before planting?

While soaking your pumpkin seeds before planting is not a necessity, it can be beneficial for speeding up the germination and growing process, whether you've bought seeds or learned how to save pumpkin seeds for planting last year.

‘Soaking pumpkin seeds overnight before planting isn’t really necessary but it can help speed up their germination process. That’s because the outer seed coat of pumpkin seeds can be quite tough and soaking them will soften it, which will allow moisture to penetrate more easily and kick-start the germination process, making it quicker and more uniform,’ Petar explains.

Steve adds, ‘Some gardeners swear by it in order to encourage them to germinate quicker. Some soak them in a saltwater mix for up to 8 hours - no more, otherwise you risk your seeds rotting - in order to encourage them to germinate in a more timely manner.’