When do you plant winter squash (pumpkin seeds)?

I'm just wondering when everybody starts their winter squash? My local gardening book says to plant out in August I know they usually take about 100 days to mature so that won't give them enough time to mature before it freezes. I have mine started but not planted out yet. It seems ironic to be thinking about a freeze when the temps have been averaging 105*. I'm growingThai Large Pumpkin, Jaune Gros De Paris, Connecticut Field, Galeux D'Eysines, and Thai Kang Kob Pumpkin. Last year I planted in June but an August heat wave took them out (I was away for 2 weeks and they didn't get enough water). I replanted in August and a freeze took them out. Hoping for better luck this year.
Lisa

LisaC,
I think you're following the same schedule I am. I'm sowing my seeds this weekend, inside, and will sow outside again July 17th. I'm hoping to plant out August 1.

Thank you, we actually get colder here (freeze) usually in October but I don't think I'm too late then. Its always kind of dicey getting the new transplants to get established when its so hot. Also I'm going out of town for a few days in the middle of July so I'm trying to decide if I should wait a couple of weeks to plant them out or not. They grow so fast I will have to transplant them to bigger containers.
Lisa

1Lisac,
I've never grown squash before. Been dreading my first encounter with the "squash borer!" But, since I pulled FOUR thumbsized tomato hornworms off the vines I cut down last weekend, I think I'm ready for the squash!

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo looking forward to growing in the COOL of the fall! Got about 15 tomato cuttings that have rooted and will be ready to go outside August 1st. had a dismal spring season -- only cherry tomatoes. Hoping for a bountiful Thanksgiving harvest of huge heirloom tomatoes!

Linda

TX Gardeners' fall planting guidelines say you should start pumpkin no later than Aug 1st and Aug 10th on the winter squash. Tomatoes right now is good. They recommend using shadecloth on the new seedlings and keeping them watered. Good luck. We are so dry here it is hard to want to grow much. pod

Pod-is that for the whole state of TX or just a certain zone? I know that if I plant that late there won't be enough time for them to mature before it freezes. I don't plant a fall crop of tomatoes, mine are just starting to really get going even though it has been so hot. If a plant dies I pull it and replace it but usually I just keep watering them over the summer and while they may slow down they never truly stop producing. We must not have the humidity or something because a lady at the end of the road just got her garden in at the beginning of June, and she already has some nice tomatoes set despite the record breaking temps.
Lisa

Thanks, Pod!

You are sooooooooooo right about not wanting to plant out in this heat! I'm retrofitting my eBuckets to a One-bucket design, and was outside yesterday cutting pegboard in the shade. I was still soaked when I came in, and STAYED in.

Is that August 10 winter squash plantout seedlings or seeds? 1/3 of my tomato cuttings are about 26" in the 5-gallon growbags, and doing great. They've got it made in the shade. Got another 1/3 in red solo cups, also in the shade. They're getting STOUT and are about 14". The final 1/3 is inside under flourescent lights, enjoying the air conditionining. They're going out on a field trip this week! Probably die of heat stroke...

Linda

This message was edited Jul 5, 2009 9:13 PM

Actually that is not for the whole state. TX Gardener has it divided into four zones.

Lisa, am I right in thinking you are out in the Hill Country area? The date they list is when you should be able to safely plant the squash or pumpkins and still be able to harvest before frost. They base these planting dates on the first average freeze date. It could be possible to plant later and be successful if the freezes start later than average.
I agree on the slowness of my plants. My eggplant is just first putting on blooms. I don't know about your spot but I think mine doesn't get enough sunlight. The tomatoes should stay alive thru this heat but will quit setting tomatoes when the temps are this high. The smaller tomatoes seem to set fruit longer into the heat of summer. I forget the temp the nighttime temps need to drop to for fruit to set. If we can keep them alive, they should go back to producing when it cools.

Linda ~ you are on the border of zones so you could plant winter squash as late as Sept 1st and for pumpkins Aug 10th. That is assuming the first frost dates of course. They list it as seeds/plants so I guess either. You might ease your plants out for short stays in the heat or transition them... that will be hard on them with this heat. Heat stroke might be right! LOL



This message was edited Jul 5, 2009 11:23 PM

Pod,
Thank you for all you offer to DG! You are always right on time with your advice and help!

I think I read somewhere (on one of the MANY suggested planting schedules) that our average 1st frost date is December 7th. If this is true, I've got plenty of cole crop growing season ahead of me!

Linda

Now if we could only figure out how to control the temps and rainfall... LOL

Please remind us when to start the Osaka in this climate. Looking forward to it. Thank you!

Pod,
I'm thinking of sowing my seeds August 15th. Eight weeks of grow time will have them a good size by mid-October when the weather starts cooling. They should take off from there. Keep in mind, this will be my first time sowing these seeds with the rest of you guys, so I'm guest-imating!

I bought them as 5-6" seedlings last November when I planted them out the week of Thanksgiving break.

Linda

That sounds good. Maybe I should probably plant sooner? I am a couple shades cooler here...