Find out exactly when to plant pumpkins for Halloween so your harvest will be perfectly timed.
Figuring out when to plant pumpkins for Halloween can be tricky.
Butpumpkinsalso need a long growing season, so you’re free to’t delay too much.
Holly Cromer / Getty Images.
This guide will help you determine exactly when to plant your pumpkin seeds.
You’ll also find recommendations for the best pumpkins to grow for making spooky Jack-o-lanterns in time for Halloween.
For gardeners in northern locations, pumpkins are usually directly sown outside in late May.
When to plant pumpkins for Halloween will depend on where you live.
Sow pumpkin seeds outdoors when no more frost is expected and the soil has warmed up.
Pumpkins grow best in temperatures between 65 and 95F during the growing season and require a consistent moisture supply.
Pumpkin Planting Tips
When planting pumpkins outside, ensure your plants have plenty of growing room.
This will help yourpumpkins to develop fully and grow larger.
Pumpkins can be planted in either rows or hills.
Alternatively, place 2 to 3 pumpkin seeds in each hill and space hills 4 to 8 feet apart.
Its important tolocate your pumpkins in full sunandadd plenty of compost to your soilprior to planting.
Pumpkins are deep orange in color with distinctive ribs.
Bellatrix
This pumpkin variety matures in 95-100 days.
It has orange rinds and dark, strong stems for nice contrast.
The nicely rounded, 20-25 pound fruit areperfect for carving.
Ripe pumpkins will generally have a uniform color and they should sound hollow when tapped.
The rind will also be firm and be difficult to pierce with your fingernail.
Although it can be hard to wait, dont carve your pumpkins until 3 days or less before Halloween.
Uncarved pumpkins last longer, so the longer you wait, thebetter your pumpkins will lookfor trick-or-treaters.
