When to plant pumpkins in North Dakota

Pumpkins
Sow outdoors in Fargo
May 18–Jun 1

Across North Dakota the window opens between May 18 and June 4. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors, Fargo
May 18–Jun 1
Last sowing for a harvest
May 21
Last frost, Fargo
May 4

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
FargoMay 18–Jun 1
BismarckMay 24–Jun 7
Grand ForksMay 24–Jun 7
MinotMay 24–Jun 7
West FargoMay 18–Jun 1
WillistonJun 4–Jun 18
DickinsonJun 3–Jun 17
MandanMay 27–Jun 10

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

Questions

When should I plant pumpkins in North Dakota?

In Fargo, sow outdoors from May 18 to June 1. Across North Dakota the window opens between May 18 and June 4, 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 North Dakota?

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

More for North Dakota

Pumpkins in other states

Frost dates for every city in North Dakota