Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Pumpkins in Mississippi

From jack-o-lanterns to pies, pumpkins need space and time but deliver a uniquely satisfying harvest.

The Short Answer

In Mississippi, pumpkins planting dates vary by region. In Northern Mississippi, your average last frost is around Mar 15 - Apr 1, while Southern Mississippi sees its last frost around Feb 15 - Mar 5. Since pumpkins are frost-sensitive, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outside 2 weeks after frost danger has passed. Rich delta soils in west. Heavy clay in many areas. Sandy in pine belt. Acidic throughout.

Mississippi Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Mississippi you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Mississippi 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
Central Mississippi 8a, 8b Mar 1 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Mississippi 8b, 9a Feb 15 - Mar 5 Nov 15 - Dec 5

Pumpkins Planting Schedule for Mississippi

Northern Mississippi (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Central Mississippi (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Southern Mississippi (Zones 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 15 - Mar 5 · Average first frost: Nov 15 - Dec 5

Start Seeds Indoors
3 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks after frost
Direct Sow
2 wks after frost

Growing Pumpkins in Mississippi

Pumpkins in Mississippi's Climate

Your long season means you can plant pumpkins later than northern growers while still getting October harvest. The trick is timing: plant in June-July so pollination occurs in September when temperatures have moderated from peak summer heat. Squash vine borer often has two generations in warm climates — the later planting helps avoid the worst damage.

Soil Considerations for Mississippi

Rich delta soils in west. Heavy clay in many areas. Sandy in pine belt. Acidic throughout. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 65°F before planting pumpkins outside.

Mississippi Climate & Growing Season

Long growing season. Hot, humid summers. Mild winters. Two-season gardening possible. Pumpkins cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Mississippi: Northern Mississippi (7b, 8a) has a last frost around Mar 15 - Apr 1, while Southern Mississippi (8b, 9a) sees frost end around Feb 15 - Mar 5. This difference matters for pumpkins — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Count backwards from when you want ripe pumpkins (usually October). They need 90-120 days, so mid-June to early July is often ideal.

Companion Planting

Plant pumpkins alongside these companions for better growth:

Corn Beans Marigolds

Keep pumpkins away from:

Potatoes

The Bottom Line

Pumpkins can be grown successfully across Mississippi, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Mississippi gardeners should plan around a Mar 15 - Apr 1 last frost, while those in Southern Mississippi can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Pumpkins Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Mississippi Planting Calendar All plants for Mississippi Pumpkins in Alabama Alabama planting dates Pumpkins in Alaska Alaska planting dates Pumpkins in Arizona Arizona planting dates Pumpkins in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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