In zone 6, plant pumpkins outside from about May 15, two weeks after your last spring frost, once the soil has thoroughly warmed. Most varieties need about 100–120 days. For Halloween pumpkins, plant from late May to mid-June: pumpkins that ripen too early can soften and rot before October 31.
Pumpkin dates for your ZIP code
Planting times based on university extension guidance (UNH, Cornell, Purdue, Minnesota, Nebraska and UMass Extension). Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest weather station. Zones derived from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map data (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). This is not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Pumpkin timing in zone 6
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Start indoors (optional) | April 17 – April 24 |
| Plant outside | May 15 |
| First harvest | August 23 – September 12 |
| Plant for Halloween | Late May to mid-June |
| Thin seedlings | To the best 2–3 plants per hill |
| Harvest | Late September or early October, before heavy frost |
Most of zone 6 sees its last spring frost between April 25 and May 8 (typical May 1) and its first fall frost between October 7 and October 18 (typical October 13). Pumpkin seed won’t sprout in cold soil, and frost kills the vines. The tool above uses the weather station closest to your ZIP code.
Why pumpkins wait for warm soil
Pumpkins are tender, warm-season plants. The seed won’t sprout in cold soil, and frost kills the vines. They go out about two weeks after the last spring frost, once the soil has thoroughly warmed, and need 100–120 days to ripen. If you want pumpkins for Halloween, timing the planting matters as much as the frost date.
Best pumpkin varieties for zone 6
Zone 6 has time for almost any pumpkin. Choose by use:
- Carving pumpkins such as Howden’s Field and Big Max.
- Pie pumpkins such as Small Sugar, with sweeter, smoother flesh.
- Miniature pumpkins such as Jack-Be-Little.
- Giant pumpkins: plant jumbo varieties in early June and give each plant about 150 square feet.
How to plant pumpkins
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 4–5 seeds per hill, once the soil is warm.
- Space hills 5–6 feet apart in rows 10–15 feet apart for vining types, closer for bush types.
- Thin to the best 2–3 plants per hill.
- Water deeply, keeping the leaves dry.
- Let the bees work. Avoid insecticides while flowers are open.
Zone 6 pumpkin tips
- Time it for October. Count back 100–120 days from early October to plant for Halloween.
- Give them room. Vining pumpkins need 50–100 square feet per hill.
- Don’t panic about the first flowers. They are male and drop off; fruit comes from the female flowers that follow.
- Watch for powdery mildew, cucumber beetles and squash bugs, which build up in late summer.
Harvesting and storing pumpkins
Harvest when the pumpkin has a deep, solid color and a hard rind. Cut the stem with shears, leaving 3–4 inches attached, and wear gloves because the stems are prickly. Bring pumpkins in before a heavy frost. Store sound, unblemished pumpkins in a dry place at about 45–55 °F, where they keep for months. Don’t refrigerate them or store them somewhere damp.
Pumpkin planting dates in nearby zones
See dates for every zone on the pumpkins planting guide, or build a full schedule with the planting calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to plant pumpkins in zone 6 in June?
Not necessarily. Pumpkins need 100–120 days, and your first frost comes around October 13. A June planting can still work with a faster variety.
When should I plant pumpkins for Halloween in zone 6?
From late May to mid-June. Earlier pumpkins may ripen in August and start to soften before October.
How long do pumpkins take to grow?
Most need 100–120 days from planting to harvest. Miniatures are quicker; giants take longest.
Why are my pumpkin flowers falling off?
The first flowers are male and drop off after a day. Female flowers, with a small pumpkin at the base, come later.
How much space do pumpkins need?
Vining pumpkins need 50–100 square feet per hill, and giants about 150. Bush and miniature types need much less.
Sources. Planting dates use the median frost dates of each USDA zone, calculated from NOAA climate data for every ZIP code in the zone.