As an esurient nurseryman and pumpkin enthusiast , I always have a surplus of seminal fluid in November after carving diddlysquat - o - lanterns for Halloween . I ’m often tempted to toss the seeds into the garden before winter sets in . But will seeds found that late in the year amount to anything get give ?
Unfortunately , the general consensus among farming experts is that November is too tardy for planting autumn pumpkin seed in most regions . While not impossible , seeds sown at the end of autumn present knotty odds of thriving . Here ’s a snug tone at why late free fall planting is risky for pumpkin seeds , and what your chances are of success .
Why November is Too Late to Plant Pumpkins
There are a few cardinal reason why November is not an ideal time to embed Cucurbita pepo seeds :
sprouting necessitate Warmer Soils – Pumpkin seeds require reasonably warm soil temperatures to germinate , around 60 - 95 ° F . By November , soils are too cold .
Risk of Frost Damage – Even if seeds did sprout , young seedlings could easily perish from strong frost and block over wintertime .
Limited Growing Season Left – Pumpkins take 80 - 100 + frost - free twenty-four hour period to fully mature , Planting in November leaves deficient clip before winter dormancy
overwinter is unmanageable – Pumpkin vine and fruits do n’t reliably overwinter in most regions , unlike some crops . wintertime conditions would likely kill them .
No “ Winter ” Pumpkin Varieties – There are no pumpkin cultivar bred specifically for late planting and winter maturity . Standard pumpkin type postulate a farseeing , ardent season .
For these reasons , farming experts recommend pumpkins be planted as seedlings in late fountain / other summer to yield ripe yield by autumn . However , some gardeners have handle to bring home the bacon with November planting …
Anecdotal Successes: What the Seed Packets Don’t Say
Some home nurseryman report pumpkins spud from November semen planting , controvert the standard guidance . A few factors may explicate these anecdotic succeeder :
Milder wintertime may allow seeds and seedling to overwinter if protected .
seed may go abeyant and remain viable through wintertime to sprout in spring .
Some varieties may be more resilient than expected to colder temperature .
Microclimates in some garden may provide sufficient heat for natural selection .
However , success is still considered unbelievable compared to proper outflow planting . If you ’re experience observational , November cum planting may work in warmer climates or sheltered gardens . But the peril are eminent of pullulate plants die over winter .
Tips to Maximize Chances for Late Fall Planted Pumpkin Seeds
If you importune on try your luck planting pumpkin seeds in November , here are a few tip to stack the pack of cards in your favour :
select partially ego - heated locations like south - facing walls for extra warmth .
masking found seeds with cloches , cold frames , or scurvy poly tunnels for insularism .
apply black plastic mulch over planting seam to absorb and continue estrus .
choose for smaller , fast - maturing pumpkin variety needing 60 day or less .
Start seeds indoors and transplant out after rime to avoid seedling red .
cater frost protection like textile cover for vulnerable seedlings and vines .
Pinch off bud to prevent fruits forming too early if planting in declivity .
Of of course , there are still no guarantees of success , and many seeds may fail to thrive planted this recently . But with some fate and cold protective covering measures , you might get a few to spud !
Enjoy Fresh Seeds Next Season by Properly Storing and Drying
Rather than chance on tardy season planting , a effective option for seed savers is preserving seeds from Halloween pumpkins to implant next natural spring . Here ’s how :
Scoop seed from pumpkins and briefly rinse off off pulp strand .
Spread seeds equally on paper towels and reserve to dry for 1 - 2 hebdomad .
Place dried seed in a sealed envelope or jar . storage in a cool , dry spot like the refrigerator .
In leap , presoak save seeds in pee for 24 hours before constitute outside after danger of frost .
With proper drying , storage , and handling , pumpkin seeds can remain practicable for plant for up to a twelvemonth . Just remember to never imbed them outside in crepuscle once November hit – spring planting is their key to success !
How long does it take pumpkins to grow?
pumpkin need about 75 to 100 days without hoar to grow . That ’s why it ’s so important to be intimate when to establish pumpkins , so you’re able to get them proceed early enough to be certain of a fall harvest .
Check the seed packet for that pumpkin variety ’s spring up time in days . Then count backward from the meter you would like to have pumpkin available . Plant your pumpkin harvest before or near that planting particular date , but after the last Robert Frost .
If it takes 100 daylight for your pumpkin to grow , for example , you will need to plant the semen at least in the centre of July if you want pumpkins ready for Halloween . ( credit : Getty s ) .
How long do pumpkins need to grow?
pumpkin require quite a long time to grow . radish and salad farewell are two kitchen garden approximation that can grow in as little as 25 day . autumn pumpkin , on the other hand , need a lot more meter to mature ; they can take anywhere from 80 to 120 days .
How to Grow Pumpkins at Home From Seed
FAQ
How late can you set pumpkin seeds ?
Can pumpkin seeds pull through wintertime ?
Will Cucurbita pepo turn from erstwhile pumpkins in the winter ?
Can you just thrust pumpkin cum on the ground ?
Can you plant pumpkin seeds in cold grime ?
When the soil temperature is at least 65 F. ( 18 C. ) , you could embed your pumpkin seeds . Pumpkin seeds wo n’t pullulate in cold soil . Mound the grease up a routine in the center of the choose location to help the sun heat up the pumpkin seminal fluid . The warmer the filth , the faster the pumpkin seeds will pullulate .
When is the near time to plant pumpkin seeds ?
That means more cutting , bake , and fall decor . Danny Watson , a garden inwardness associate at The Home Depot , shares his best tips for planting and produce pumpkins from source . The in effect time to engraft pumpkin seeds is from former May to early July to savor them in the pin .
Can you implant pumpkin vine seeds indoors ?
Pumpkin source are well sow directly in the garden after the soil has warm up up . plant life pumpkin seeds 1 inch late in 3 - fundament wide hill . you may plant 3 to 4 seed per mound and then thin to only 2 plants per mound – celebrate the most viable plant . Starting pumpkin seed indoors can give you a few more calendar week to spring up if needed .
Is it too late to plant pumpkin vine in the fall ?
No , unfortunately . It ’s too late to embed them in the tumble for harvest in the same season , nor do the germ overwinter well . They are tender to frigid and could conk , either as a semen or — if they do endure — as a sensible seedling hit by a late outflow rime . There is no such thing as a wintertime pumpkin salmagundi .
