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General pumpkins calendar

Toronto, Canada · 43.65°

When to plant pumpkins in Toronto

The Toronto dates are calculated from the observed last spring frost — a 2016–2025 mean of 25 April — rather than from a latitude estimate or a national calendar. The frost-free season here averages 197 days.

Season anchorobserved 2016–2025

Last spring frost: 25 April · latest 15 May

First autumn frost: 8 November · earliest 30 Oct

Frost-free season: 197 days · 10 complete years

These come from the ERA5 reanalysis on a roughly 9 km grid, so they describe the area rather than your plot. A hollow, a frost pocket or an exposed site regularly runs several degrees colder, so use the cautious date for a decision you cannot undo.

Frost date estimator

Local calendar windows

Sow indoors4 April – 18 April24 April – 8 May
Sow outdoors2 May – 16 May22 May – 5 June
Plant out2 May – 23 May22 May – 12 June
Approximate harvest3 August – 12 September23 August – 2 October

The cautious column is calculated from the latest frost recorded in the period (15 May). Use it for tender crops you cannot re-sow.

The year in Toronto

What can move the date

Gross feeders — plant on top of a compost heap and they will repay you. Slide a tile or board under each swelling fruit to keep it off wet soil.

Final spacing: 120 × 180 cm. Soil: pH 6–7.

Direct-sow only once the soil holds 16°C or more — soil temperature decides germination, not the date.

Problems in Toronto

Each has its locally favourable conditions counted month by month, from the weather archive for this city.

Full guide: pumpkins diseases and pests →

The same crop elsewhere