When to Plant Pumpkins in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA hardiness 5a to 7a (zones 5a to 7a on this page). Plant pumpkins by your local frost date, not the calendar — pick your zone below for exact start-indoors, transplant, and harvest dates.
Jump to: Zone 5a · Zone 5b · Zone 6a · Zone 6b · Zone 7a
Pumpkins planting calendar for Illinois, Zone 5a
Average last spring frost
May 5
Average first fall frost
October 1
Start seeds indoors
Apr 14
Transplant outdoors
May 19
Projected first harvest
Sep 6
Most pumpkins mature in about 100 to 130 days depending on the variety. Full zone 5 guide (both 5a and 5b) →
Pumpkins planting calendar for Illinois, Zone 5b
Average last spring frost
April 30
Average first fall frost
October 5
Start seeds indoors
Apr 9
Transplant outdoors
May 14
Projected first harvest
Sep 1
Most pumpkins mature in about 100 to 130 days depending on the variety. Full zone 5 guide (both 5a and 5b) →
Pumpkins planting calendar for Illinois, Zone 6a
Average last spring frost
April 25
Average first fall frost
October 10
Start seeds indoors
Apr 4
Transplant outdoors
May 9
Projected first harvest
Aug 27
Most pumpkins mature in about 100 to 130 days depending on the variety. Full zone 6 guide (both 6a and 6b) →
Pumpkins planting calendar for Illinois, Zone 6b
Average last spring frost
April 20
Average first fall frost
October 15
Start seeds indoors
Mar 30
Transplant outdoors
May 4
Projected first harvest
Aug 22
Most pumpkins mature in about 100 to 130 days depending on the variety. Full zone 6 guide (both 6a and 6b) →
Pumpkins planting calendar for Illinois, Zone 7a
Average last spring frost
April 15
Average first fall frost
October 20
Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Aug 17
Most pumpkins mature in about 100 to 130 days depending on the variety. Full zone 7 guide (both 7a and 7b) →
Not sure which half-zone you're in? Set your ZIP in HomeSown for dates tuned to your exact location.
Varieties to grow
4 varieties of pumpkins in the HomeSown library. Tap any for its full grow guide.
Common problems with pumpkins
What to watch for, with identification and treatment for each
🌱 Grow pumpkins with a calendar built for your exact yard
HomeSown turns your ZIP code into a personalized planting calendar, watering reminders, and pest help. Free to start.
Start your free garden →