Plant Pumpkins in Zone 12b
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 12b
Zone 12b is effectively frost-free, so the Zone 12b calendar for pumpkins is set by heat, not cold. There is no last frost to count backward from and no first frost to beat, which means the question is not whether pumpkins will finish but whether it will sit through the hottest stretch of the year. Pumpkins is a tender crop needing about 100 days from sowing to harvest.
Fall planting: pumpkins in Zone 12b
Pumpkins has no useful fall window in Zone 12b. Pumpkins are already a fall harvest, but they are planted in early summer. There is no second sowing.
Pumpkins are already a fall harvest, but they are planted in early summer. There is no second sowing.
Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 12b average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.
Spring vs fall pumpkins in Zone 12b
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Feb 1 | Feb 1 | May 12 |
| Fall | — | — | — |
Pumpkins in nearby zones
Further reading on pumpkins
- When to start seeds indoors by zone
Indoor start dates for pumpkins, counted back from your last frost.
- Hardening off seedlings: a schedule
A day by day plan for moving pumpkins seedlings outdoors.
- Best grow lights for seed starting
What light seedlings actually need, and which fixtures deliver it.
Other crops in Zone 12b
Frequently asked questions
When should I start pumpkins in Zone 12b?
Direct sow outdoors around Feb 1.
Can I direct sow pumpkins in Zone 12b?
Yes, direct sow around Feb 1.
Can I plant pumpkins in the fall in Zone 12b?
Pumpkins has no useful fall window in Zone 12b. Pumpkins are already a fall harvest, but they are planted in early summer. There is no second sowing.
Will pumpkins survive frost in Zone 12b?
No. Pumpkins is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 12b planting has to finish before the average first frost (Zone 12b rarely sees one).