When to plant pumpkin in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant pumpkin shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 12 in San Mateo to June 23 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | January 16 – January 30 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | January 20 – February 3 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | January 16 – January 30 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | January 13 – January 27 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | January 28 – February 11 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | January 26 – February 9 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | January 23 – February 6 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | January 21 – February 4 |
Pumpkin in California: FAQ
When can I plant pumpkin in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow pumpkin spans roughly January 12 in San Mateo to June 23 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the pumpkin planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right pumpkin planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does pumpkin take to grow in California?
Pumpkin takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.