Jack O'Lantern
A classic carving pumpkin with a round shape and bright orange skin. It's widely available in UK garden centres and matures reliably in our shorter growing season.
When to plant Pumpkins in Cardiff
Cucurbita pepo
Pumpkins are vigorous annual vines grown for their large, colourful autumn fruits. They thrive in warm, sunny conditions and produce long, sprawling stems that can easily run several metres. Pumpkins are frost-tender and need a good, rich soil and consistent watering through summer. With enough warmth and space, they reward you with hard-skinned fruits that store well and are ideal for both cooking and seasonal decoration.
60 cm · Full Sun · High Water
Calibrated to Cardiff · average last frost around 22 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
Growing guide for
Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.
Grow smaller, flavourful pumpkins for cooking, using similar methods but with closer spacing and earlier harvest.
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
1 Apr to 8 AprSow seeds on their edge at a depth of in modules, keeping at . Germination takes 7-10 days; avoid early sowing to prevent root-bound seedlings.
02
Pot On Seedlings
15 Apr to 29 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stagePot on into pots once two true leaves appear, using general-purpose compost. Maintain a temperature of in a bright location.
03
Harden Off Plants
29 Apr to 6 MayAcclimatise plants outdoors over 10-14 days from 29th April - 6th May, increasing exposure gradually to toughen them up before transplanting.
04
Transplant Outdoors
6 May to 13 MayPlant out after the last frost into enriched soil, spacing at apart. Water in well and consider using fleece for protection against cool nights.
05
Water and Feed Plants
25 Jun to 28 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksWater regularly at the base to maintain moisture. Feed with a balanced fertiliser every 14 days from fruit set around 25th June to enhance flavour and yield.
06
Harvest Pumpkins
30 Sept to 28 OctHarvest when fruits are fully coloured and the skin hardens, typically from 30th September - 28th October. Cut with a stalk and use fresh or store in a cool, dry place.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Pumpkin to consider
Munchkin
This small variety produces numerous palm-sized fruits that are ideal for decoration or cooking. It's well-suited to UK gardens as it can be grown in containers and has good disease resistance.
Crown Prince
A popular grey-blue skinned pumpkin with sweet, dense orange flesh that stores well. It performs consistently in UK conditions and is favoured for soups and roasting.
Atlantic Giant
Known for producing very large pumpkins, this variety is grown by enthusiasts for competitions. It requires a long growing season but can succeed in the UK with careful site selection and feeding.
Baby Bear
A compact plant that yields small, flattened pumpkins with good flavour. It's recommended for UK gardens because it matures early and is less prone to mildew in damp weather.
Related plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest June to September. Typical frost risk October to April.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest September to February. Typical frost risk October to April.
Calabrese
Sow indoors March, plant out May, harvest July to September. Typical frost risk October to April.
Pumpkin guides by town
See how Pumpkin timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.