When to Plant Pumpkin in Chicago, Illinois (60621)

Location

Chicago, Illinois

ZIP Code

60621

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Monday, April 20, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Direct Sow Outdoors Monday, March 9, 2026

Pro Tip: Sow Pumpkin directly outdoors 6 weeks before your last frost date.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Cucurbita maxima

Days to Maturity 100 days

Mature Height 12-24"

Spread 120"

Type Vine

Fruit Size Large (8-20 lbs)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

60" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Pumpkin in Chicago?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Monday, March 9, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

CornBeanMarigoldNasturtium

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Potato

Other Plants for Chicago

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Pumpkin in Zone 6a

Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) is a popular garden vegetable. In Chicago, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, you should direct sow seeds around Monday, March 9, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Monday, April 20, 2026. Pumpkin grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.