Pumpkin Planting Time?

Question

When is the best time for planting pumpkins if you live in Virginia/North Carolina area?

Answer 1

From a report of "Crop Profiles in Virginia"
"Seed pumpkins in the field June 15-July 5 in cooler areas, and June 15-July 15 in warmer, southern areas."
http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/vapumpkins.html

According to Robert J. Rouse, Wye Research and Education Center, University of Maryland, Queenstown, pumpkins can be seeded too early if one is not careful. Pumpkins should not be seeded in the mid-Atlantic region in May. They will make it, but will need to be sprayed over a longer period of time. June is more appropriate. During summer, the days to maturity can vary from 90 to 120, depending on the variety of pumpkins planted and the temperature. 90-day pumpkins can be planted as late as the first week in July and still make a crop by October. However, pumpkins planted late in the season are more subject to disease and do not yield as well as those planted earlier. Mid-June is the normal planting time.
http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/pubs/brochures/pumpkins.html

Answer 2

It really depends on the variety you plan to plant, as there is a wide range of maturation times for pumpkins. They can be anywhere from about 70 to 110 days, and should be listed on the seed package. I live in Kentucky and we planted ours on June 14-16 this year. Some of the earlier varieties have already gotten ready, and the later ones will be ready very soon. Pupmkins usually keep very well, and so it does not hurt to have them get ready in September. It just gives you more time to have them decorating your yard.

Answer 3

I live in Indiana and if we want our pumpkins for halloween, we plant them no later than the middle of July. That way they have time to grow and produce but not become old and mushy before the end of october.

Answer 4

April or May. When the soil temp is 65 degrees.