When to plant pumpkins in Idaho

Sow outdoors in Boise City

May 8–May 22

Across Idaho the window opens between April 20 and May 26. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. For Halloween pumpkins, count back the variety's days to maturity from late September.

Pumpkins planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Boise CityMay 8–May 22

MeridianMay 8–May 22

NampaMay 13–May 27

CaldwellMay 13–May 27

Idaho FallsMay 23–Jun 6

PocatelloMay 16–May 30

Coeur d'AleneMay 6–May 20

Twin FallsMay 14–May 28

Post FallsMay 6–May 20

RexburgMay 26–Jun 9

LewistonApr 20–May 4

EagleMay 13–May 27

KunaMay 8–May 22

StarMay 13–May 27

AmmonMay 23–Jun 6

In Rexburg the frost-free season is shorter than pumpkins need. Start plants indoors and pick early varieties.

When should I plant pumpkins in Idaho?

In Boise City, sow outdoors from May 8 to May 22. Across Idaho the window opens between April 20 and May 26, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

Is the season long enough for pumpkins everywhere in Idaho?

Not quite. In Rexburg the frost-free season is shorter than the time pumpkins need to ripen. Start plants indoors and pick an early variety.