Zone 11 · Fruit Growing Guide

When to Plant Pumpkin
in Zone 11

Needs space — a lot of space. But few crops beat the satisfaction of growing a Halloween pumpkin. Small varieties like Baby Boo need much less room. Plant in a hill with heaps of compost.

Plant outdoors
Aug – Dec
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~none
Days to harvest
90–120 days
Difficulty
Easy
Late season — Zone 11
Harvest window: Nov – Mar

Planting Calendar

In Zone 11, Pumpkin should be planted outdoors Aug – Dec, after the average last frost date of approximately none.

Cool season planting. Grow through fall and winter for best results.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Moderate
Spacing
60–96 inches
Soil
Rich, well-draining, compost-amended
Days to maturity
90–120 days
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
plant tip · Zone 11

Cool season planting. Grow through fall and winter for best results.

Feeding Schedule

How often
monthly
Feed type
balanced then high potassium
Key timing
switch to high-potassium when fruit sets

Heavy feeder with a long season. Compost generously at planting. Feed monthly and increase potassium as fruit develops.

Companion Planting for Pumpkin

What you plant next to pumpkin makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Corn
  • Beans
  • Nasturtiums
Keep away from
  • Potatoes
  • Brassicas
  • Fennel

These guides get better when growers like you contribute. If something’s wrong or you’ve learned something worth sharing, we’d love to hear it.

What needs correcting?

What should it say?

Your zone (optional)

Thanks — we'll review this and update the guide if needed.

Your growing tip for Pumpkin

Your name (optional)

Your zone (optional)

Tips are reviewed before publishing. Accepted tips earn you a Founding Grower badge when the plant app launches.

Thanks for contributing! We'll review your tip and be in touch before launch.

Common questions

In Zone 11, direct sow pumpkin outdoors Aug – Dec after your last frost date of approximately none. Cool season planting. Grow through fall and winter for best results.
Zone 11 has an average last spring frost of approximately none and a first fall frost around none. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for pumpkin include Corn, Beans, Nasturtiums. Avoid planting near Potatoes, Brassicas, Fennel, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Pumpkin typically takes 90–120 days from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 11. Expected harvest window: Nov – Mar.

Free app · iOS February 2028

Track your Pumpkin in plant

Get a live traffic light for every crop in your garden — zone-aware planting calendar, real-time weather alerts, and a community of growers near you.

Be first to back on Kickstarter and lock in the founding price.

Crop Guides