If you find yourself dreaming of pumpkins, spice and all things fall-nice in peak summer, we don't blame you. Many of us can't wait for the cooler weather and the joy of harvesting and decorating pumpkins. But what if you did not plant your pumpkins during the usual early-summer window, or you've never grown them before and are wondering if you're too late to the pumpkin patch party?

Ahead, discover the answer, then get inspired by some of the most visually pleasing heirloom pumpkins that can be grown in a smaller garden and make a wonderful alternative to the traditional big orange pumpkins.

Is August Too Late to Plant Pumpkins?

So, you might be pondering: is August too late to plant pumpkins? The answer comes down to where you live.

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“Whether August is too late depends entirely on your climate,” says Staci Hill, co-author of The Preserver’s Garden. “Gardeners in the southern U.S. (i.e. parts of Texas, Florida, Arizona, etc.) with long, warm falls and first frost dates in early to mid-November or later, can often plant pumpkins in August for a Halloween or Thanksgiving harvest.”

“In cooler regions where the first frost arrives by mid-October or even earlier (i.e. in much of the Midwest), August is generally too late for most pumpkins, even smaller heirloom varieties”, Hill explains, “except possibly for a few very fast-maturing mini varieties. Check your area's average first frost date and compare it to the variety's days to maturity before planting.”

Hill explains that where she lives in southern Missouri, they typically have to plant pumpkins by the first week in July to ensure that they mature before the first frost hits in mid-October.  

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She explains that even when planting quick-maturing or “early” varieties, pumpkins generally still need around 85 to 95 days, so they're better suited to August planting in regions with a long, warm fall. 

In the cooler areas, August planting is a gamble. “Frost can damage the pumpkins as well as the plants,” Hill cautions.

The bottom line? August is likely too late to plant pumpkins in the very Northern states. Still, it's worth checking the Farmer's Almanac for first frost dates: fall season is getting warmer in many regions, including the Midwest, and if you have a favorable first frost date (say, after October 20) combined with a warmer backyard microclimate, you could still have luck with a fast-maturing pumpkin variety. A gamble for sure, but not necessarily an attempt destined for failure.

If you live further South, planting pumpkins in August is a distinct possibility, and may even be done commonly among regional gardeners.

“If your climate allows, your pumpkins will be ready to harvest for Halloween and Thanksgiving displays. Then they’re also not taking up space in your summer garden,” Hill points out. 

The 5 Prettiest Heirloom Varieties to Try in August

There's more to pumpkins than the orange giants we all know and love for Halloween carving. Some of these smaller varieties are fast-maturing, so if you plant them now, you may well still enjoy a Halloween harvest. You will need to hurry and plant them now, though.

1. Jack Be Little

These are the classic mini pumpkins that adorn pumpkin patch displays and corn mazes during fall, and you can grow them in your garden. Describing them as “tiny, bright orange heirloom pumpkins with deep ribs,” Hill says that these diminutive pumpkins are great for table displays, bowls and porch decor. 

She says that if these pumpkins are planted around August 1, they’ll be ready around late October to early November—around 90 to 95 days to harvest.

2. Casperita

As the “Casper” in the name suggests, these are the ghostly white versions of Jack Be Little pumpkins, and they also have “pronounced ribs,” as Hill says, adding that they’re particularly beautiful for neutral fall decorating and mixed displays.

She says that these pumpkins take around 85 to 90 days to harvest, which means you’ll want to aim for early August for planting.

3. Wee-B-Little

Could these mini pumpkin names get any cuter?! “Wee-B-Little” miniature orange pumpkins have that “classic jack-o’-lantern shape,” as Hill says. She adds that they’re “excellent for decorating and container displays.”

“[It’ll be] about 85 to 90 days to harvest. If planted August 1, they will be ready around late October,” Hill shares.

4. Baby Bear

Petite but a bit larger than Jack Be Little pumpkins, Hill says that Baby Bears are “small, deep orange pumpkins with sturdy handles and ribbing, great for decorating and baking.”

Again, if you plant around August 1, they’ll be good to go in late October to early November and follow the schedule of 90 to 95 days to harvest.

5. Small Sugar

We’d call these “medium-sized” pumpkins and are definitely the larger cousin to the Jack Be Little variety. Hill says that this is a “classic heirloom pie pumpkin with smooth, deep orange skin” and “decorative enough for displays and excellent for cooking and baking.”

They’ll take about 85 to 95 days to harvest, so plant them around August 1, and you can pick them in late October to early November.

Sources:

• Staci Hill, co-author of The Preserver’s Garden