Should You Plant Pumpkin Seeds in November? The Truth May Surprise You

November is pumpkin season. People carve Jack-o-lanterns and bake pies, and there are lots of pumpkin seeds around. If you love gardening, you might want to plant out any pumpkin seeds you have left before winter comes. But will these late-season plants do anything in the spring?

In most places, November is too late to plant pumpkin seeds, so the short answer is no. It’s not impossible for seeds planted at the end of fall to grow and produce a harvest, but it’s not likely. Here are some of the main reasons why planting pumpkin seeds in late fall is not a good idea, according to farmers.

Why November Planting is Risky for Pumpkins

There are several key factors that make November the wrong time to plant pumpkin seeds:

• Germination Requires Warmer Soils – Pumpkin seeds need adequately warm soil temperatures, around 60-95°F, to germinate. By November, soils are usually too cold for seeds to sprout successfully.

• Risk of Frost Damage—Even if seeds did sprout in late fall, hard frosts and freezes over the winter could easily kill young seedlings.

• Not much time left for planting—pumpkins need 80 to 100 frost-free days to fully grow. Planting in November doesn’t give most varieties enough time to reach maturity before they go dormant for the winter.

• Overwintering is Difficult – Unlike some crops, pumpkin vines and fruits don’t reliably overwinter in most regions Harsh winter conditions would likely kill them

• No “Winter” Pumpkin Varieties – There are no pumpkin cultivars specifically bred for late planting and winter maturation. Standard types need a long, warm season.

For these reasons, agricultural professionals recommend pumpkins be sown as seedlings in late spring or early summer to produce ripe fall fruits. However, some home gardeners have reported success with November plantings…

Anecdotal Successes – What Seed Packets Don’t Say

Despite the warnings, some hobby gardeners have managed to get pumpkins growing from November seeded plantings, seemingly contradicting conventional guidance. Possible explanations for these anecdotal successes include:

• Milder winters may allow seeds and seedlings to overwinter if properly protected and insulated.

• Seeds may go dormant under cold temperatures and remain viable to sprout again in spring.

• Certain varieties may exhibit more cold resilience than expected.

• Microclimates in some gardens could provide sufficient ambient warmth for survival.

However, gardening experts still consider success improbable compared to proper spring sowing. November seed planting may occasionally work in sheltered gardens or warmer winter climates. But the risks remain high of sprouted plants perishing over winter.

Tips to Maximize Late Fall Planted Pumpkin Success

While ill-advised, if you insist on experimenting with November planted pumpkin seeds, here are some tips to improve your chances:

• Choose warmer south-facing walls or other partially self-heating locations.

• Cover planted seeds with cloches, cold frames, or low tunnels to provide insulation.

• Use black plastic mulch over beds to absorb and retain heat.

• Select smaller, fast-maturing varieties needing 60 days or less.

• Start seeds indoors, then transplant out after last frosts to avoid seedling loss.

• Provide frost protection like fabric row covers for vulnerable seedlings and vines.

• Pinch off early buds to prevent premature fruits forming in fall.

Admittedly, there are still no guarantees of success, and many seeds may fail to thrive. But with luck and protection measures, you might get a few to sprout and grow!

Enjoy Fresh Seeds Next Season by Proper Storage

Rather than gamble on late season planting, a better option for seed savers is preserving seeds from Halloween pumpkins to plant next spring. Here’s a simple process:

• Scoop seeds from pumpkins and briefly rinse off pulp strands.

• Spread seeds evenly on paper towels and allow to dry 1-2 weeks.

• Place dried seeds in a sealed envelope or jar. Refrigerate for cool, dry storage.

• In spring, presoak saved seeds in water 24 hours before planting out after last frosts.

With proper drying, storage, and handling, pumpkin seeds can stay viable for planting for up to a year. Just avoid planting them in the fall – spring is the key to their planting success!

The Takeaway – November is Too Late for Pumpkins

While not impossible, November pumpkin seed planting is generally inadvisable for most regions, facing the tough odds of cold soils, frost damage, and short growing seasons. For best results, properly store seeds over winter and wait to sow in spring. With the right conditions, you’ll reap a bountiful harvest!