The best time to plant pumpkins in Texas is generally from June through mid- July. Pumpkins usually take about 90 to 120 days to mature, so planting in this window ensures they are ready for fall harvest and Halloween. Some guidelines suggest planting approximately four months before the first frost, which is generally mid-November in Texas, so planting in July is common. More specifically:

• Plant pumpkins in June or early July to have them ready for Halloween or Thanksgiving.
• If planted late July, slower-developing varieties may not be ready by Halloween but will be ripe by Thanksgiving.
• Texas pumpkins need warm soil and frost-free conditions for germination, so avoid planting until after the last frost and when soil has warmed sufficiently.
• Pumpkins thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of water during fruit development.

In summary, for Texas gardeners:

• Aim to plant pumpkin seeds from early June to mid-July.
• Make sure the soil is warm (above 60°F), and the last frost has passed.
• Plant earlier for longer-maturing varieties and later for shorter-maturing ones, but not later than mid-July for a Halloween harvest.

This timing helps pumpkins reach full maturity by fall, ready for holiday use and decoration.